LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – A teenager who was reported missing in North Dakota was shot and killed in Las Vegas over the Labor Day weekend.
It happened on Monday shortly after 4:30 p.m. in the 6900 block of Kepler Drive near Carey Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard, according to Las Vegas Metropolitan police.
The teen’s family spoke to 8 News Now on Wednesday and identified him as James Lobue. They said he had celebrated his 15th birthday the day before his death. Before his disappearance, his mother said he had been living with her in Bismark, North Dakota, and ended up living in Las Vegas with relatives.
On Monday, when officers arrived at the scene of the shooting they told 8 News Now that they found the teen shot in an upstairs apartment.
According to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Homicide Detective Lt. Jason Johansson, before the shooting, the teen was “hanging out” with several other juveniles. Moments later someone in the apartment heard a gunshot and then the teen who had been shot came out of a room.
Lobue’s mother Christina Downs Andujar said she just wants answers.
“I want to know why, I want an answer, he’s not just a kid that doesn’t have somebody behind him he has a whole family of people,” his mother told 8 News Now. “He was funny, he was the life of the party, he was outgoing, he was loud and kind.”
Police told 8 News Now on Monday that the teen was pronounced dead at a hospital and that no arrests had been made in the case.
No details on a suspect description or motive were released by police.
“Was this a result of an altercation? We are still trying to get all those facts,” Lt. Johansson said on Monday night.
Those with information on what may have occurred are asked to call the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department or to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.
