Bail set at $1M for teen accused in killing near Las Vegas park
A judge set bail at $1 million Tuesday for a teenager accused of robbery and murder in a Friday slaying near a park in Las Vegas.
Serge Kamga, 19, and a 16-year-old boy who has not been identified were arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department in connection with a fatal shooting at Grass Meadows Drive and Tree Line Drive, close to the Lewis Family Park in the eastern valley.
The victim was Dominique Rattler, 33, according to the Clark County coroner’s office, which said his cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds and has determined the death to be a homicide.
Kamga faces charges of open murder, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.
Deputy District Attorney Kennedy Holthus said that the suspects had intended to buy marijuana and that it appeared Rattler was killed in a “drug deal gone bad.”
Kamga’s attorney, Ryan Helmick, wanted him released on his own recognizance, meaning there would not be monetary bail, with high-level house arrest.
But Holthus asked for $1 million bail with house arrest if Kamga posts bail, a request Justice of the Peace Eric Goodman granted despite Helmick’s protests that Kamga’s family could not afford it.
“I’ve got a murder case,” Goodman said. “I’ve got a father who was working seven days a week (to) support his wife and his eight kids. He’s working seven days a week and on the side selling marijuana because he’s got to support all those people.”
Helmick argued that Kamga — whom he described as a “straight A student” on a full football scholarship — was not accused of being the shooter, did not know the victim would be robbed and left the scene as soon as he heard gunshots.
Goodman was skeptical.
“Your client shows up in all black with a mask,” the judge said. “The other guy shows up in all black with a mask. And that’s just normal behavior?”
Helmick said that the masks were a “style fashion” thing.
Metro said Kamga told police that it was the dealer who “suddenly showed a firearm,” but apologized for what happened to the victim.
“Our argument is that he had no idea this was going to be a robbery,” Helmick said. “The plan was to get marijuana.”
Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BrighamNoble on X.