Crime
Father Reaction Captured on Bodycam After 11-Year-Old Stepson Brandon Dominguez-Chavarria Killed in Road-Rage Shooting
Newly released police body-camera footage has revealed the heartbreaking moment a Nevada father learned that his 11-year-old stepson, Brandon Dominguez-Chavarria, had been fatally shot during a road-rage encounter along the 215 Beltway near Henderson.
The fatal incident occurred on the morning of November 14, as Brandon sat in the back seat of his stepfather Valente Ayala’s SUV while being driven to school.
According to the Henderson Police Department, Ayala’s vehicle and another car driven by 22-year-old Tyler Matthew Johns became engaged in aggressive driving behavior, reportedly “jockeying for position” in traffic.
Investigators say the confrontation escalated when Johns attempted to pass on the freeway shoulder, leading to a verbal exchange between the two drivers. Moments later, Johns allegedly fired a single shot into Ayala’s vehicle.
The bullet struck Brandon in the head.
Realizing the severity of the injury, Ayala rammed Johns’ vehicle in an attempt to prevent him from leaving the scene.
Both men then exited their cars and confronted each other until a passerby alerted a nearby police officer.
When officers arrived, their cameras captured an emotional and chaotic scene.
Footage shows Ayala falling to the ground, overwhelmed with grief as he repeatedly cried out:
“My kid is dead… my son!”
Officers attempted to console him while paramedics rushed to the child.
Despite emergency efforts, Brandon could not be saved.
The Clark County Coroner later confirmed that he died from a single gunshot wound to the head.
Johns was detained at the scene.
In both police reports and bodycam video, he can be heard expressing immediate remorse, stating:
“It’s 100 percent my fault. I didn’t even know he had a kid in the car.”
Johns has been charged with open murder enhanced by the use of a deadly weapon, along with multiple firearms-related offenses. He remains in custody at the Henderson Detention Center pending court proceedings.
Prosecutors initially reviewed Ayala’s decision to ram Johns’ vehicle, but Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson confirmed no criminal charges would be filed, explaining that the action occurred during an intense emotional and life-threatening event.
Wolfson stated that Ayala’s conduct did not meet the threshold for criminal negligence.
Brandon’s family described him as a vibrant and loving child who enjoyed soccer, Roblox, and spending time with his siblings. A GoFundMe campaign created by relatives refers to him as:
“The light of our family — a sweet soul whose life was stolen in a senseless act of anger.”
The violent nature of the incident has sparked renewed public discussion regarding road-rage and firearm escalations.
Henderson Police Chief Reggie Rader addressed the community shortly after the shooting, calling the tragic loss:
“A sobering reminder that seconds of anger can destroy lives forever.”
He urged drivers to disengage from confrontational behavior and prioritize safety over pride or emotion.
The case remains under active investigation as authorities continue gathering evidence, witness statements, and traffic footage from the area. Meanwhile, the community continues to support the grieving family as they navigate the devastating loss.
Brandon’s death marks one of several high-profile road-rage shootings nationwide in recent years, highlighting what officials call a “growing and deeply concerning pattern” of violent responses to routine traffic disputes.
Orlando, Fla. — Family and friends of 33-year-old Julien Emmanuel Cruz are seeking answers and accountability following his fatal shooting outside a popular LGBTQ+ nightclub early Sunday morning.
According to the Orlando Police Department, officers responded at approximately 2:31 a.m. on February 22, 2026, to the 1900 block of North Orange Avenue, just north of Lake Ivanhoe, in reference to a reported shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located Cruz suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities confirmed Cruz was born May 18, 1992.
Detectives determined that prior to the shooting, Cruz and the suspect were involved in a verbal and physical altercation on the sidewalk outside the nightclub district. Investigators say that during the dispute, the suspect retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and shot Cruz.
The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, which patrol officers later located in the 200 block of East New Hampshire Avenue, approximately two blocks from where the shooting occurred.
Police subsequently arrested 37-year-old Jean Gabriel Borja Gil De La Madr (DOB: October 29, 1988). He has been charged with Second Degree Murder with a Firearm. Authorities confirmed this case marks the third homicide in Orlando in 2026.
Cruz’s father, Anthony Cruz, said his son and his partner had been at Savoy Orlando enjoying the evening before the violence unfolded.
According to the family, as the couple exited the club after closing time, a vehicle sped past them. Cruz’s partner allegedly yelled toward the occupants of the vehicle, prompting the car to stop. A physical altercation then reportedly began between Cruz’s partner and one of the individuals from the vehicle.
“When they fought, my son saw that was happening. My son went to intervene, and when he intervened, another guy got out of the car, and he got shot,” Anthony Cruz said. “My son didn’t deserve what happened. All I have left is a shirt — a shirt with a bullet hole.”
While police have charged Borja Gil De La Madr, Cruz’s family maintains that another individual may have been directly responsible for pulling the trigger. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether additional suspects are being sought.
A small memorial has formed across from the nightclub, where members of the community have gathered to honor Cruz’s memory.
Joshua Cooper, owner of Savoy Orlando, said the tragedy has deeply impacted the LGBTQ+ community, even though the shooting occurred off the club’s property.
“I didn’t know the victim, but from everything I’ve been told, I wish I had,” Cooper said. “He seemed like a great kid. Seeing a family that is so heartbroken and so supportive of this community says so much.”
The Orlando Police Department has not released additional information regarding potential additional suspects. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation and shooting.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Orlando Police Department or Crimeline.
The investigation remains active.