Man who killed 5 in North Las Vegas mass shooting recently completed domestic violence class
NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. (KLAS) — The man who shot and killed five people and injured a teenager in a series of shootings Monday night completed domestic violence counseling earlier this month and threatened to kill a woman last year, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned.
Eric Adams, 47, shot his six victims in two apartments at the Craig Ranch Villas shortly after 10 p.m. on Casa Norte Drive near Craig Ranch Park and Commerce Street, police said. On Tuesday, Adams died by suicide as police closed in on him.
Court records show Adams has a history of domestic violence convictions, including one 2023 case where a judge ordered him to attend classes for a year, pay a fine and complete community service. As of Wednesday, a day after this death, Adams owed $301 in the case.
In February, North Las Vegas police issued a warrant for Adams’ arrest on domestic violence charges, including domestic battery by strangulation, records said. The case was later dismissed before a preliminary hearing in April.
In that case, a woman told police Adams threw her to the ground and choked her during an argument over money, documents said. The woman pleaded for Adams to stop when he said, “I’m going to kill you, you are going to be my sixth victim!” according to documents.
In 2007, Las Vegas Metro police arrested Adams for robbing and beating a woman, records said. Adams demanded the woman’s coat and stole her cash. A judge later sentenced Adams to prison for 16-48 months.
As a convicted felon, Adams was prohibited from owning a firearm. Police noted he was previously arrested 49 times, documents said.
Some living at the Craig Ranch Villas said they were unaware a convicted felon resided next door. April White questions how he was allowed to live there, as other neighbors confirmed he had for months.
“Listen, I had to do a record check to get in here,” White said outside the complex Wednesday afternoon. “They’re supposed to have no felons. None of that. So, [the complex] knew that. If you can find this out, they can find this out.”
On Monday night, officers discovered two women, one in her 40s and one in her 50s, dead from apparent gunshot wounds in a second-floor apartment. A third shooting victim, a 13-year-old girl, was also found in the apartment and transported to the hospital. Police said she is in critical condition.
During the investigation, police discovered three more shooting victims in a separate unit directly below the first apartment where the three women were found. Police said there were two women in their mid-20s and a man in his early 20s dead from apparent gunshot wounds.
A GoFundMe vetted by 8 News Now said at least four of the people shot were related, representing “three generations.” The wounded teenager is included.
On Wednesday, the Clark County Coroner’s Office identified Kayla Harris, 24, as one of the bottom floor victims. They listed her cause of death as a gunshot wound of the head, neck, and chest. The other three victims have not yet been officially identified.
Tuesday morning, police said Adams was believed to be armed and “extremely dangerous.” They advised anyone who saw him to not approach. Metro police said they received information that Adams was at a business on the 1500 block of Lake Mead Boulevard.
North Las Vegas police said when officers responded to the area, they found Adams armed with a firearm before he jumped into the backyard of a residence on Dwayne Stedman Avenue near MLK Boulevard and Balzar Avenue. Officers gave verbal commands for Adams to drop his weapon, but he ignored the commands and died by suicide, police said.
Anyone with information about the murders was urged to contact the North Las Vegas Police Department at 702-633-9111. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555, or at crimestoppersofnv.com.
For a list of local and state resources for domestic violence and abuse victims, visit this link.
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