Man who said he shot son told officers he’s not sure he’s father

The man who said he shot and killed his son Tuesday night told police he didn’t remember moments leading up to shooting and is unsure if the person he killed was his real son, according to the arrest report.

Joshua Deshawn Lee, 20, whose city of residence is not listed, died of a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the Clark County coroner.

Officers were working a routine call at The Covington at Coronado Ranch, 7800 S. Rainbow Blvd., Tuesday when they heard three gunshots from a different building in the complex about 8:20 p.m., according to the Metropolitan Police Department arrest report.

Officers searched the area and were approached by Michael Gardenhire, 49, who told police he had shot his son, police said. Gardenhire led police to the apartment, where they found Lee, who died at the scene.

When police conducted a search of the apartment they found a handgun located in a box in the closet. During the interview, Gardenhire told detectives that he picked up Lee from a homeless shelter and that Lee had been staying with him for about five or six days. He told police he wasn’t really sure whether he was Lee’s father, the report said.

Gardenhire told police he and Lee would argue frequently, and that after Lee came home Tuesday, the two got into an argument. He also told police he doesn’t remember the moments leading up to the shooting, the report said.

Gardenhire told police he didn’t remember owning a gun or using a gun and that he sometimes has memory issues related to depression and/or anxiety. He admitted that Lee had no weapon on him and that no physical contact occurred between the two leading up to the shooting, the report said.

Gardenhire was arrested on one count of murder with a deadly weapon, and he was booked into the Clark County Detention Center.

Contact Lawren Linehan at llinehan@reviewjournal.com or at 702-383-0381. Follow @lawrenlinehan on Twitter. Contact Jessica Terrones at jterrones@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Follow @JessATerrones on Twitter.