Inset: Anthony Anderson (Facebook). Background: The Dive Bar in Las Vegas, Nev., where Anderson was fatally shot on June 1 (Google Maps).
Tragedy struck in Las Vegas when a Nevada man’s birthday celebration ended in a fatal shooting, allegedly at the hands of his roommate. The victim, 37-year-old Anthony Anderson, succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital early Monday morning after the incident, which reportedly involved his friend and roommate, 26-year-old Jordan Garcia.
The Las Vegas Metro Police Department confirmed the tragic event during a press conference, broadcast by local ABC affiliate KTNV. According to the arrest report obtained by the station, Anderson and Garcia, described as friends, were celebrating Anderson’s birthday at the Dive Bar before the night took a violent turn.
Details from the arrest report reveal that the night began with Anderson and his girlfriend picking Garcia up from work. The trio, who were all roommates, headed to the Dive Bar on the night of May 31 to mark Anderson’s birthday. Throughout the evening, the men reportedly expressed a close bond, often referring to each other as “brothers,” as noted by Anderson’s girlfriend during police interviews.
As the night wore on, Anderson consumed a significant amount of alcohol, while Garcia had only a few drinks. Anderson’s girlfriend, who remained sober as the designated driver, agreed to drive them home. However, tensions escalated around 4 a.m. when Anderson insisted on driving despite his inebriated state, leading to an argument with Garcia. According to the girlfriend’s account to the police, Garcia attempted to persuade Anderson to let her drive, but the disagreement between the two friends intensified, culminating in the tragic shooting.
When it was time to leave, around 4 a.m., Anderson reportedly insisted on driving, which led to an argument between him and Garcia. According to Anderson’s girlfriend, Garcia tried to convince his friend to let her drive, but the two men continued to argue.
According to the report, Anderson’s girlfriend got into the driver’s seat of the car while the two men kept talking. Their verbal argument reportedly became physical, and Anderson’s girlfriend looked out the car’s window to find the two men tussling on the ground. She got out of the car to try to break up the fight while a bystander from the bar filmed the whole thing.
When Anderson’s girlfriend turned to get back into the car after successfully separating the men, she told police she “saw flashes in her mirror, which she assumed were from a gun.” The next thing she saw was Anderson sprawled on the ground.
Police said an employee from the bar came outside to provide medical aid to Anderson. He told police that Garcia spoke to him, “stated something close to ‘I shot him and he tried to fight me.’”
According to the report, the gun found at the scene that was allegedly used by Garcia belonged to Anderson, but the two men shared it. Anderson had been carrying the gun because Garcia was at work, Anderson’s girlfriend told police.
Garcia did not speak to police at the scene. Anderson was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Garcia was charged with open murder and remains in custody at the Clark County Department of Corrections. His next court date is scheduled for June 9.