A 19-year-old Nevada man has been arrested and charged with murder following a fatal shooting that occurred during what authorities describe as a drug deal that escalated into violence. Elijah Harris faces charges of open murder, attempted robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery in connection with the death of 59-year-old Victor Powe on April 10 in Las Vegas.
According to police reports and court documents, Harris contacted the Las Vegas Metro Police Department on April 16, six days after the incident, expressing fear but ultimately agreeing to discuss the case. During his conversation with investigators, Harris provided his account of the events leading to Powe’s death.
The fatal encounter occurred at approximately 6:29 p.m. on April 10, when police responded to reports of a shooting. Officers discovered Powe deceased in his vehicle, which had crashed into a building after the shooting. The victim had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Surveillance footage from the neighborhood captured critical moments of the incident. The video showed three men approaching Powe’s vehicle while he was parked at the curb in the driver’s seat. According to the footage, one individual appeared to act as a lookout while the other two approached the car more closely. One man positioned himself at the driver’s side and was heard instructing Powe to exit the vehicle, while another stood at the passenger side carrying a rifle.
The surveillance recording captured the sound of gunfire, after which Powe attempted to flee in his vehicle. However, he had been fatally wounded and lost control of the car, resulting in the crash into a nearby building.
During his interview with police, Harris claimed he had met with two other men at his Las Vegas apartment that evening with the intention of hanging out, smoking marijuana, and playing video games. He told investigators that one of his companions arrived with a rifle concealed in his pants, despite Harris allegedly telling him not to bring the weapon.
According to Harris’s statement, when the group ran out of marijuana, one of the men contacted his dealer and arranged to meet with Powe, who was described as the dealer’s runner, to purchase more drugs. Harris told police that as they prepared to leave the apartment, his companions asked if he was certain he wanted to accompany them. He agreed to go along.
Harris claimed he was unaware of any plan to rob or kill Powe. He told investigators that after a brief conversation at the meeting location, one of his companions suddenly began shooting at the victim. Harris stated he was the first to return to the apartment after the shooting. When the other two men arrived, they allegedly changed their clothes and expressed that they had made a mistake, saying the encounter was not supposed to unfold as it did.
Despite denying prior knowledge of any violent intentions, Harris reportedly acknowledged to police that he should have recognized warning signs that something was amiss. The identities of the two other men involved have not been publicly released by authorities.
Harris was taken into custody on April 16 and formally charged with open murder, attempted robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery. He is currently being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center. His next court appearance was scheduled for May 20.
The case highlights the dangerous intersection of drug transactions and gun violence, resulting in the tragic loss of life. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify and apprehend the other individuals allegedly involved in the fatal shooting.
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