Las Vegas woman's tattooed face leads to her arrest after she kills carpet cleaner in 'random shooting'

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: A 27-year-old woman is suspected of shooting and killing a carpet cleaner on Tuesday, March 26, close to Spring Mountain and Fort Apache roads, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Kayla Alery was charged with multiple felonies, including assault with a deadly weapon and open murder with a deadly weapon. She is also facing a charge of battery by a prisoner.

Kayla Alery kills Raul Cardoza in random shooting incident

Police said they were called to an apartment complex in west Las Vegas, where they discovered Raul Cardoza, 41, in his van close to the entrance just after 4 pm on Tuesday, Fox 5 KVVU TV reports.

Officers treated him before paramedics could come and take him to a hospital, where he died from his wounds. According to Lt Jason Johannson, Cardoza was at the apartment complex, to give a resident an estimate. He claimed that Alery shot him while he and his brother were sitting in the truck and that there was "no indication at all" that the two had ever interacted before.

“This appears to be a random shooting,” the lieutenant said.

Alery is said to have left the scene on foot. Detectives reportedly learned from witnesses that Cardoza was shot when someone wearing dark clothing and having tattoos on his neck and face approached his van, reports KTNV.

Kayla Alery has a lengthy criminal past

Alery was apprehended by patrol officers who used a firearm to locate and take her into custody. Johannson, who does not reside in the apartment complex, claimed that Alery seemed to be breaking into cars there.

As per KVVU, Alery was also charged with domestic battery in 2021, driving with a suspended license in 2022, and grand larceny in 2018, according to court documents. December 2023 saw Alery's parole release from the prison where she was incarcerated on two charges related to arson.

Regarding the most recent charges, she is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, March 28.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact the LVMPD Homicide Section by phone at 702-828-3521 or by email at homicide@lvmpd.com.

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555 or online at crimestoppersofnv.com.