Argument leads to fatal shooting and body discovered near Eureka Casino

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — An arrest report reveals more details about what led to the discovery of a body last month.

April 28Las Vegas police received a report that a body wrapped in a tarp had been found in the 800 block of Sahara Avenue.

A woman told police her friend called 911 to report the body after seeing a discolored human hand clinging to the tarp. They then left the scene because she was “panicked”.

Police later identified the victim as Robert Rodriguez and that he had died from a gunshot wound to the head.

According to an arrest report, police collected video surveillance footage from several businesses and homes in the area and discovered a man pushing a cart. The report states the person removed items from the cart, including a tarp, and placed them on the ground where the victim was. The man then walked away.

May, the 1st, police were contacted by a concerned citizen who said a woman told her her boyfriend had been shot and that she believed at least one man had disposed of the body. He was identified as Gennady Zhuravlyon, 48. Police were able to locate and arrest Zhuravlyon.

During an interview, detectives showed him photos from the video footage, which showed him pushing a cart containing Rob's body. The report says Jouravlyon “told the detectives they were crazy and had a negative reaction every time one of the detectives accused him of pushing the cart or throwing the body in the parking lot.” The report says he never made a statement or denied any involvement or knowledge of the murder.

May 2nd, police spoke with Rodriguez's girlfriend. The report says she told officers they were both unhoused and living in a tent near the Eureka Casino. On April 20, she and Rodriguez went to a gas station to pick up a phone. She said she told Rodriguez to stay there and wait for her while she went to a friend's house. She told police she didn't want Rodriguez to go with her because he doesn't get along with her friend and they have had problems in the past.

She told police she thought Rodriguez was tired of waiting for her and went to her friend's house. That friend was later identified as 67-year-old Loth Rodriguez.

May 3, the police went to Loth's house. When they entered, there was “apparent blood splatter” on the wall and this blood was “soaked into the carpet, upholstery and concrete.” Loth was arrested and questioned by detectives.

Loth told police he lived alone and had allowed various unhoused people to come to his apartment for “recreation and shelter, such as charging a phone, taking showers, smoking illicit narcotics like meth and consume food.

On the night of the shooting, Loth allegedly told detectives that Rob walked through the front door of the apartment and started arguing with someone. Loth said he asked them to talk outside, but then Rob started yelling at him. According to the arrest report, Loth told police this had happened several times in the past.

Loth told police he grabbed a gun off the top of his desk and fired a shot because he was scared, wanted to “scare Rob” and didn't want to shoot him. above. He said he believed Rob was breathing and that Rob had been on the ground for at least an hour. That's when someone told him they were going to “take care of Rob.” Loth said he then went to his room and did not remember anything afterward.

The report says detectives asked Loth why they didn't call police or medical personnel immediately after the shooting and he did not respond.

Court records show Loth has been charged with open murder and is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on July 11.

Jouravlyon was charged with harboring/concealing/aiding a criminal offender. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday.