Inset: Anthony Anderson (Facebook). Background: The Dive Bar in Las Vegas, Nev., where Anderson was fatally shot on June 1 (Google Maps).
A Nevada man tragically lost his life after a birthday celebration turned deadly allegedly at the hands of his roommate who had been celebrating with him.
Anthony Anderson, 37, succumbed to his injuries at a Las Vegas hospital early Monday morning following an alleged shooting by 26-year-old Jordan Garcia. During a press conference, Las Vegas Metro Police confirmed that the two men were friends. According to an arrest report obtained by KTNV, the celebration of Anderson’s birthday at the Dive Bar devolved into a physical confrontation that ended in tragedy.
The arrest report details that Anderson and Garcia, accompanied by Anderson’s girlfriend, spent the evening of May 31 at the Dive Bar. Garcia had been picked up by Anderson and his girlfriend, who shared a living arrangement with him.
During police interviews, Anderson’s girlfriend recounted that the two men, who frequently called each other “brothers,” shared a close bond. While Garcia had a few drinks, Anderson consumed alcohol heavily. As the designated driver, Anderson’s girlfriend intended to ensure everyone returned home safely.
Tensions arose when it was time to leave around 4 a.m., as Anderson insisted on driving. This prompted a dispute with Garcia, who urged his friend to let the girlfriend take the wheel. Despite Garcia’s efforts, the argument persisted.
The situation escalated when Anderson’s girlfriend took her place in the driver’s seat, only to witness the two men’s argument turn physical. As the pair scuffled on the ground, she exited the car to intervene, while a bystander from the bar recorded the altercation.
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.
