LAS VEGAS, NV - A man has been charged with open murder after he allegedly shot his roommate at an apartment complex, according to police.
The alleged suspect, 38-year-old Mychael V. Thompson, was arrested on February 12 and charged with open murder with the use of a deadly weapon or tear gas, according to criminal records reviewed by PEOPLE. Thompson allegedly shot his roommate at their central Las Vegas apartment over a dispute on February 12.
Police responded to several 911 calls at 10 a.m. that morning, with reports that a man had been shot, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) said in a press release. Officers later found the roommate's body in a parking lot and discovered a "SAR 9mm Luger" cartridge nearby.
The outlet reported the victim was identified as Antwon Watson. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. "Thompson fled the scene before officers arrived," LVMPD said.
Authorities found Thompson's vehicle through the investigation and patrol officers took it into custody. Thompson was booked into the Clark County Detention Center.
Authorities interviewed Thompson's girlfriend, who said they had been dating for three years and had lived together for five years, according to the arrest report. She said Watson moved in with the couple around a month ago. The interview with Thompson's girlfriend and video from a neighbor's security camera "indicate Thompson suspected her of cheating with Watson," the arrest report stated.
The surveillance video showed Watson pushing Thompson and a confrontation on the morning before the shooting. A witness told police Thompson arrived home at 7:00 a.m. after allegedly drinking the night before. Thompson allegedly came home around 7:00 a.m. after he was drinking that night, the woman told authorities. Thompson allegedly continued drinking a beer, and Watson an energy drink.
The two men left the apartment, and the girlfriend said she went through Thompson's phone. She then saw phone calls and believed that Thompson was cheating on her. She exited the apartment and went to Thompson and Watson, who were arguing about Thompson's alcohol intake.
Watson told Thompson he needed to "lay off alcohol," the arrest report said. She went back to the apartment, and the men followed.
"As [the witness] walked out of the master bedroom, she heard one gunshot and could smell gun powder. She observed Mychael [Thompson] in the bathroom and Antwon [Watson] run toward the front door of the apartment,” the report said.
“She went back to the bedroom and closed the door with the children inside. When she came out, both men were gone and she went out to find Watson laying on the ground and patrol cars arriving,” the report added. When detectives interviewed Thompson, they "did not believe Mychael was taking the interview and situation seriously."
Watson's family said that he and Thompson were friends. Watson was temporarily staying with Thompson before moving into his own apartment at the end of February.
"He went there to someone who he trusted, and he was betrayed," Watson's daughter Faith said. "He knew my dad for a long time, and he shot him and left him dead in the parking lot," Watson's daughter Hope added.
The alleged suspect, 38-year-old Mychael V. Thompson, was arrested on February 12 and charged with open murder with the use of a deadly weapon or tear gas, according to criminal records reviewed by PEOPLE. Thompson allegedly shot his roommate at their central Las Vegas apartment over a dispute on February 12.
Police responded to several 911 calls at 10 a.m. that morning, with reports that a man had been shot, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) said in a press release. Officers later found the roommate's body in a parking lot and discovered a "SAR 9mm Luger" cartridge nearby.
The outlet reported the victim was identified as Antwon Watson. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. "Thompson fled the scene before officers arrived," LVMPD said.
Authorities found Thompson's vehicle through the investigation and patrol officers took it into custody. Thompson was booked into the Clark County Detention Center.
Authorities interviewed Thompson's girlfriend, who said they had been dating for three years and had lived together for five years, according to the arrest report. She said Watson moved in with the couple around a month ago. The interview with Thompson's girlfriend and video from a neighbor's security camera "indicate Thompson suspected her of cheating with Watson," the arrest report stated.
The surveillance video showed Watson pushing Thompson and a confrontation on the morning before the shooting. A witness told police Thompson arrived home at 7:00 a.m. after allegedly drinking the night before. Thompson allegedly came home around 7:00 a.m. after he was drinking that night, the woman told authorities. Thompson allegedly continued drinking a beer, and Watson an energy drink.
The two men left the apartment, and the girlfriend said she went through Thompson's phone. She then saw phone calls and believed that Thompson was cheating on her. She exited the apartment and went to Thompson and Watson, who were arguing about Thompson's alcohol intake.
Watson told Thompson he needed to "lay off alcohol," the arrest report said. She went back to the apartment, and the men followed.
"As [the witness] walked out of the master bedroom, she heard one gunshot and could smell gun powder. She observed Mychael [Thompson] in the bathroom and Antwon [Watson] run toward the front door of the apartment,” the report said.
“She went back to the bedroom and closed the door with the children inside. When she came out, both men were gone and she went out to find Watson laying on the ground and patrol cars arriving,” the report added. When detectives interviewed Thompson, they "did not believe Mychael was taking the interview and situation seriously."
Watson's family said that he and Thompson were friends. Watson was temporarily staying with Thompson before moving into his own apartment at the end of February.
"He went there to someone who he trusted, and he was betrayed," Watson's daughter Faith said. "He knew my dad for a long time, and he shot him and left him dead in the parking lot," Watson's daughter Hope added.
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