Tragedy struck a Las Vegas grocery store on Tuesday morning when Alejandro Alfonso Estrada allegedly opened fire inside a Smith’s supermarket, resulting in the deaths of his ex-wife, Amanda Frias Rosas, and her husband, Victor Frias Rosas. The incident, which unfolded on South Maryland Parkway, has left the community in shock as bystanders heroically intervened to subdue the suspect before police arrived.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Amanda-Frias-Rosas-Winn-victim-051326-4d79bc0b972b47e881e4a3a1b8aba63e.jpg)
Estrada, 43, reportedly fired several shots within the store, prompting shoppers to seek safety and cover. Witnesses described a chaotic scene where the sound of gunfire sent customers into a panic. Hanna Manker, a shopper at the time, recounted hearing “about five or six shots” before she instinctively ducked down with her children to protect them from the violence. “I think we’re all traumatized. I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to go into a store shopping again, honestly,” she remarked, reflecting on the psychological toll of the incident.
According to court documents reviewed by local news outlets KLAS and KTNV, Estrada has been charged with two counts of open murder, seven counts of discharging a firearm in a prohibited area, one count of burglary while armed, and one count of aggravated stalking. Reports indicate that Estrada and his ex-wife were embroiled in ongoing custody disputes regarding their children, adding another layer of tragedy to the case. Notably, their son turned 12 on the day of the shooting, while their daughter’s birthday was just days away.
The children were not present during the shooting, which has allowed them to remain physically unharmed amidst the trauma inflicted upon their family. Estrada had an existing child support arrangement, ordered to pay £342 per month, and was reportedly in arrears, with over £2,800 owed as of November, according to court records.
Bystanders played a crucial role in preventing further tragedy by confronting Estrada during the attack. Three men managed to restrain him until law enforcement arrived. Witness Merconie Clark described the harrowing moment he faced off against Estrada, stating that the altercation began when he walked towards the suspect, who brandished his weapon. “We were wrestling for the gun,” Clark remembered. He later discovered additional weapons concealed in a backpack Estrada had with him during the incident.
Another eyewitness, Darius Alston, also rushed to assist after hearing Clark’s plea for help. Their quick actions were praised by the police, with Homicide Lt. Robert Price commending the bystanders for their bravery, declaring that they “showed tremendous courage” during a horrific situation.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated to support Amanda Frias Rosas’ children, describing her as a “young mother” whose family is now facing an “unimaginable loss.” The campaign aims to cover funeral expenses and provide ongoing support for the children, who are now navigating the aftermath of their mother’s tragic death.
Kroger, the parent company of Smith’s grocery stores, expressed its sorrow over the incident, characterising it as a “senseless act of violence.” The supermarket remained closed as authorities continued their investigation into the shooting.
As the community grapples with the tragic event, the effects of gun violence are once again brought to the forefront of discussions surrounding safety and mental health in public spaces. The Las Vegas shooting has not only claimed lives but also left a lasting impact on the families involved and countless others who witnessed the unfolding tragedy.