LAS VEGAS — Roidan Durruthy-Mendoza is facing charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, domestic battery with a dangerous weapon, and domestic battery with a deadly weapon. A man is being held on charges of murdering his ex-wife just hours after she supposedly won their divorce case in court.
The victim’s daughter called the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department dispatch on Thursday, August 17 at 2:42 p.m., saying, “Hurry up, hurry up. “He’s armed and dangerous. Police dispatchers reported hearing yelling and other noises in the background of the call. The daughter put down the phone and returned with the news that her mother had passed away. Three victims with gunshot wounds were found by police when they arrived at the residence.
According to the report, medical workers confirmed the death of the first victim, named Marillorky Tamayo-Cruz. The second victim, who was shot in the left elbow, was sent to UMC, and the third victim, who was hit in the left eye, was also taken to UMC. Authorities reported that divorcing couple Tamayo-Cruz and Durruthy-Mendoza frequently engaged in heated arguments and even physical confrontations.
The morning of the shooting, Tamayo-Cruz and Durruthy-Mendoza were reportedly scheduled to appear in court over their divorce. Tamayo-Cruz later told her loved ones that she had prevailed in court and would be receiving the residence, the vehicle, and the children in question. Tamayo-Cruz got a text message from Durruthy-Mendoza at around 2:30 p.m., in which he requested to swap cars with her, but she did not respond.
Tamayo-Cruz first refused to give Durruthy-Mendoza the keys to the car when he showed back later asking for them. After an altercation turned physical, authorities say Durruthy-Mendoza pulled the trigger. Tamayo-Cruz and her daughter tried to escape the man by hiding in a bedroom, but he was able to kick open the door and shoot Tamayo-Cruz three times in the head. The girl then went into the kitchen, grabbed a knife, and stabbed Durruthy-Mendoza in the back.
He drove away from the site before police arrived, but later he reported killing his wife to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Records and Fingerprints Bureau. Durruthy-Mendoza was arrested and sent to the hospital for treatment of his back injuries. According to the official court records, he made an appearance in court on Tuesday and entered a not guilty plea. On October 18th, a preliminary hearing will take place.
