Background: News footage of the scene in Las Vegas, Nev., where Victor Powe was found dead in his car on April 10 (KSNV). Inset: News footage of suspect Elijah Harris in court on April 17 (KSNV).
In a chilling account from Nevada, a young man’s attempt to spend a night gaming with friends turned into a harrowing tale of crime. Elijah Harris, a 19-year-old, now faces charges of open murder, attempted robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Victor Powe, aged 59, whose lifeless body was discovered in his car on April 10.
According to court documents sourced by KLAS, Harris reached out to the Las Vegas Metro Police Department on April 16. Despite initial hesitations and fears about speaking with authorities, he detailed his version of the events leading to the tragedy.
On the evening of April 10, Las Vegas police were called to the scene following reports of gunfire. They arrived to find Powe deceased inside his vehicle, which had collided with a building after he was shot multiple times, as reported by KSNV.
Surveillance footage from the vicinity captured the moments leading up to the shooting. Powe’s car, parked by the curb, was approached by three men. One of them stood watch while the other two moved closer. The video reveals one man approaching the driver’s side, demanding Powe exit the vehicle, while another stood by the passenger side wielding a rifle. In the ensuing chaos, shots were fired, and as Powe attempted to escape, he was struck fatally.
Harris recounted to police that the night began innocuously enough, with plans to “hang out, smoke weed, and play video games” at his Las Vegas apartment. He mentioned that one of his friends arrived with a rifle concealed in his pants, which Harris claims he advised against bringing. However, the mood shifted when the group ran out of marijuana. One of the friends suggested reaching out to his “plug” to procure more, with Powe acting as the intermediary for the transaction.
The situation escalated when Harris and his companions left to meet Powe. According to Harris, he was asked if he was certain about accompanying them. Despite the ominous question, he proceeded. Not long after, what began as a purchase turned deadly when, during a brief exchange, one of the men allegedly opened fire on Powe, sealing the night’s grim turn.
According to the complaint, Harris told police that he was the first one to get back to the apartment. When the other two men arrived, they allegedly changed their clothes and said they “messed up,” and their interaction with Powe “wasn’t supposed to go like that.”
Harris denied to police that he had any knowledge that his friends planned to rob or kill Powe. He reportedly admitted that “he should have known something was up.”
The other two men have not been identified by name.
Harris was arrested on April 16 and charged with open murder, attempted robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery. He is in custody at the Clark County Detention Center, where he is being held without bail. His next court hearing was scheduled for May 20.
