LAS VEGAS CRIME ROUND UP: Murder Near Sam’s Town Casino, Finger Bitten Off in Pawn Shop Fight

Posted on: February 9, 2023, 09:34h. 

Last updated on: February 9, 2023, 12:15h.

An unnamed teenager was arrested Tuesday for the weekend shooting death of a man on South Nellis Boulevard in Las Vegas.

A sign for Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall
A sign for Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, above. A murder took place near the casino over the weekend. (Image: Wikipedia)

The victim and the would-be shooter began arguing around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday. The dispute escalated, and the teen pulled out a firearm. He repeatedly shot Isaiah J. Langseth of Las Vegas in the chest, police said. The victim was rushed to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. He was pronounced dead at about 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

The 17-year-old was booked for open murder for the killing of Langseth, according to the Clark County coroner’s office. The suspect will likely be tried as an adult in Nevada court, given the charge and his age.

The crime scene is off Boulder Highway, close to Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall. Boulder Station Hotel and Casino is nearby.

Pawn Shop Fight Leads to Finger Biting

A customer allegedly bit off part of another customer’s pinky after the two engaged in a violent fight  at a North Las Vegas pawn shop.

Harold Griffin III got into a dispute with the other man at the EZ-Pawn on January 31, KLAS, a local TV station, reported. The argument began after Griffin allegedly spoke to another man’s girlfriend, apparently angering him.

Griffin then ran after the other man and threatened to strike him with a metal detector, police said. The detector broke when Griffin swung it. He next threatened to assault the man with a weed whacker, police added. But he broke that tool, too.

While Griffin and the man struggled, the man allegedly bit part of Griffin’s pinky off. The injury caused heavy bleeding.

Griffin went to University Medical Center for treatment for his finger and facial injuries. He left before doctors could finish addressing his injuries. He returned to the store, where police arrested him and took him back to the hospital.

Griffin is charged with the destruction of property. Both the tools and a display case were broken. The other man was not charged.

Telles Says He Was Framed for Murder

Robert Telles, the Las Vegas administrator accused of killing Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German, claims in an interview he was framed for the murder.

Telles, 46, who was Clark County Public Administrator, told KLAS he is innocent. Telles plans to represent himself when his case goes to trial in November. He remains in custody at the Clark County Detention Center.

German, 69, was fatally stabbed on September 3 outside of his residence. Telles’ DNA was found under German’s fingernails, according to police.