An 11-year-old boy in Nevada has died after a confrontation between two drivers on a busy freeway allegedly escalated into gunfire.
Authorities say the child was riding in the back seat of an SUV driven by his stepfather on Nov. 14 when the SUV and a sedan began competing for space in traffic. Henderson Police Department Chief Reggie Rader said the two vehicles were “jockeying for position” as they tried to pass each other on the congested roadway.
Police identified the sedan’s driver as Tyler Johns, according to local reports. Investigators allege that one of the vehicles attempted to pass on the shoulder, and the exchange quickly turned hostile, with both drivers yelling at one another.
At some point, Johns allegedly pulled out a gun and fired into the SUV, striking the boy in the back seat, police said. After the shot, the stepfather reportedly rammed the sedan to stop Johns from fleeing, according to an arrest report cited by outlets. The report also states that the stepfather yelled that Johns had killed his son.
Johns allegedly told officers he fired the weapon but did not realize there was a child in the vehicle.
The boy was identified as Brandon Dominguez through a GoFundMe created by his family. Court records show Johns is facing one count of open murder with a deadly weapon enhancement, along with two additional weapons charges. It remains unclear whether he has entered a plea.
In the GoFundMe, Brandon’s family remembered him as a bright, joyful child with a playful sense of humor. They wrote that he loved sharing the latest TikTok trends, dancing around the house, and making the people around him laugh. His family also said he enjoyed soccer, spending hours on Roblox, and being with his loved ones.
