Family, police plead for witnesses in 2014 murder to come forward

By NATALIE BRUZDA LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

8 years ago

Lt. Dan McGrath speaks about the 2014 killing of 20-year-old Morland Richey-Elder at a news briefing on July 28, 2016. (Elaine Wilson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Las Vegas police Lt. Dan McGrath joins family members as they gather on the second anniversary of the death of Morland Antwon Elder as they plead with the public for more information in his death, in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 28, 2016. (Jerry Henkel/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Jacqueline Elder holds an urn with the remains of her son, Morland Antwon Elder on the second anniversary of his death, in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 28, 2016. (Jerry Henkel/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Family members hold up a poster with a photo and sentiments as they spoke to the media on the second anniversary of the death of Morland Antwon Elder with a plea for more information in his death, in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 28, 2016. (Jerry Henkel/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Jacqueline Elder, left, and her sister Surena Elder talk to the media on the second anniversary of the death of Jacqueline’s son Morland Antwon Elder as they plead with the public for more information in his death, in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 28, 2016. (Jerry Henkel/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Surena Elder talks through tears as she and other family members gather on the second anniversary of the death of Morland Antwon Elder as they plead with the public for more information in his death, in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 28, 2016. (Jerry Henkel/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Jacqueline Elder is joined by her uncle Robert Elder as they and other family members gather on the second anniversary of the death of Jacqueline’s son Morland Antwon Elder as they plead with the public for more information in his death, in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 28, 2016. Jerry Henkel/Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Jacqueline Elder, center at microphone, speaks as family members gather on the second anniversary of the death of her son Morland Antwon Elder as they plead with the public for more information in his death, in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 28, 2016. (Jerry Henkel/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Family members gather on the second anniversary of the death of Morland Antwon Elder as they plead with the public for more information in his death, in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 28, 2016. Jerry Henkel/Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Morland Antwon Elder’s mother Jacqueline Elder talks about her son on the second anniversary of his death as she pleads with the public for more information in his death, in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 28, 2016. (Jerry Henkel/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Jacqueline Elder, center, is joined by her daughters, Tia, left, and Alliyah, right, on the second anniversary of the death of her son Morland Antwon Elder as they plead with the public for more information in his death, in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 28, 2016. (Jerry Henkel/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

On the two-year anniversary of her son’s death, Jacqueline Elder pleaded with the community for help.

Holding tightly to her son’s cremated ashes, Elder on Thursday asked witnesses to come forward with answers concerning the July 28, 2014, shooting that left her son, Morland Richey-Elder, dead.

“It’s affecting our family tremendously,” she said. “We can’t start the healing process until someone comes forward. We just need justice. He was so loved.”

Two years ago, officers responded to Barium Rock Avenue, near El Capitan Way and Iron Mountain Road, just after 12:30 a.m. and found 20-year-old Morland Richey-Elder unresponsive with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say the shooting happened during a house party with about 70 people.

“I know there’s somebody out there,” Elder said. “We know who did it. We just need witnesses — somebody to come forward. We don’t want these guys to hurt anybody else. I don’t want anybody else to feel how I’m feeling.”

Richey-Elder was shot near the driveway and ran through the party to get away from the shooter, police said. He got to the backyard before collapsing.

Elder said her son never got the chance to meet his nephew and niece, who were born shortly after he died.

“We’re losing too many young people,” Metro Lt. Dan McGrath said. “We will solve this case. We just need some of the people who were there to come forward. If they don’t contact us, we will contact them.”

McGrath said that they have questioned some persons of interest but that “they don’t have to answer.” He said that these persons of interest have been involved in other crimes since the shooting and it should give the community some concern.

Elder said it gives her an “unsafe feeling” knowing the crime has gone unsolved. She thinks people are scared to come forward.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to call the Metropolitan Police Department homicide section at 702-828-3521, or email at homicide@lvmpd.com.

Contact Natalie Bruzda at nbruzda@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3897. Find @NatalieBruzda on Twitter.