LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
A 21-year-old Las Vegas man arrested as a suspect in a deadly shooting at an apartment complex east of the Strip tried to elude officers when police found a gun linking him to the slaying.
Anton Lewis was arrested on the same day of a shooting that left 28-year-old Derrion Banks dead.
According to a Las Vegas Metro arrest report, Banks died after he was shot at the Twain Palms Apartments during the early morning of Aug. 10. Detectives said he was witnessing a fight in a parking area from his second floor apartment landing.
Shots were fired into the air hitting Banks. The victim ran back into his apartment but collapsed and later died, police said.
Police questioned people who were also witnessing the fight at the parking area. Police learned the fight stemmed from a party that had taken place at a couple of apartment units. Officers, though, were not able to locate any empty bullet casings.
Later in the afternoon, police received an anonymous tip that two people nicknamed "Batman" and "T-Mac" were responsible for the shooting and that both were attempting to flee for California.
Police were told the two were at a store where they were buying things before leaving the state.
Officers followed Terrell and Anton Lewis and a third person who left the store area in a car. Police then performed a traffic stop on the vehicle.
Officers asked the three if there was a weapon in the car and all denied any firearm. Police were given permission to search the vehicle. Officers were able to find a .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun in a sock inside a shoe in the car's trunk.
Once one of the officers advised the other to arrest Anton Lewis, Lewis fled on foot. A K9 unit was able to locate the suspect and arrest him a short time later.
Terrell and Anton Lewis were transported to Metro headquarters for questioning. Terrell Lewis told police that he and Anton were at the apartment complex where the shooting took place. He said Anton shot into the air to break up a fight and the gun police found was the weapon used.
Police then interviewed Anton who gave differing accounts to the shooting. According to the police report, Anton first told police neither he nor his brother was at the apartment complex. He then changed his story and said he was indeed at the apartment complex.
Eventually, Lewis told police he did not shoot and he wanted detectives to provide eyewitnesses. Lewis, though, told police he didn't believe any other people were shooting and there was no gun pointed at him.
Anton Lewis was arrested and booked into Clark County Detention Center on a charge of murder.
Police did not say if Terrell Lewis was charged.
Copyright 2012 KVVU (KVVU Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
Anton Lewis (LVMPD)
