A Nevada woman allegedly ordered her husband to bring a gun to a Las Vegas Walmart, telling him to shoot a shopper she had gotten into an altercation with — leading to gunfire that left one man critically wounded and her husband dead after police shot him, according to arrest documents.
Background
Raqiya Ward and Kwame Swain got into a physical confrontation outside the Walmart in the 5100 block of Boulder Highway on July 21, authorities said. The dispute began when Ward walked past Swain, who was arguing with his girlfriend, and exchanged words with him, police alleged. Punches were thrown along with rocks before Ward allegedly called her husband, Travis Ward, to come help.
"Bring a gun," Ward told her husband, according to witnesses who spoke to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigators.
After Travis Ward arrived at the store carrying a pistol, Ward allegedly directed him toward Swain inside: "He's inside, no shirt," she said, the arrest report states.
The Investigation
Travis Ward allegedly opened fire on Swain in the middle of the store, sending customers and employees scattering. He attempted to shoot Swain multiple times but his gun malfunctioned after firing several rounds, police said.
LVMPD officers responded to the Walmart around 6 a.m. shortly after the store opened. As one officer arrived, he heard what he believed to be gunfire coming from inside the business, followed by Travis Ward exiting the store with a firearm still in his hand, authorities stated at a press briefing.
"That caused the officer to discharge his firearm, striking the suspect," a police captain told reporters. He was pronounced deceased on scene.
Officers found Swain suffering from a gunshot wound inside the store. "That male was also provided immediate medical attention and transported to the hospital where he's currently in critical condition," the LVMPD captain reported.
Shoppers described the chaos that unfolded at the busy retail location.
"I literally came to get some Tylenol so I can do my morning walk, and I came into a scene looking like Baghdad," shopper Christopher Goodloe told CBS affiliate KLAS. "I can't believe it, man. Thirty-two years and I never experienced this in my life. Vegas has changed quite a bit."
Key Takeaways
- Raqiya Ward is facing charges of battery with a deadly weapon, disregard for the safety of persons or property, and conspiracy to commit battery
- Travis Ward was shot and killed by LVMPD officers after allegedly shooting Swain inside the Walmart
- Kwame Swain remained in critical condition at a local hospital following the shooting
- A second woman, identified as Ameea Blue, is also charged in connection with the incident and being held on $25,000 bail
- The confrontation began outside the store before escalating when Ward allegedly summoned her husband with a gun
What's Next
Ward was ordered held without bail during her initial court appearance. Both Ward and Blue are due back in court Tuesday for further proceedings. Prosecutors have indicated they believe Ward and her co-defendant are ultimately responsible for orchestrating the confrontation that led to the violence.
"This entire incident stems from a physical fight that was started by this defendant, the co-defendant and then enlisting someone to come and show up with a firearm," a prosecutor said during court proceedings, according to KSNV.