LAS VEGAS, NV – A misunderstanding on an RTC bus in Las Vegas this spring escalated quickly when Dominic Johnson, 25, allegedly shot another passenger, leading to his arrest out of state for attempted murder. Johnson is now facing multiple charges including attempted murder with a deadly weapon. He was taken into custody and booked into the Clark County Detention Center on October 1.
According to court documents, the incident unfolded on May 3 at around 2:27 p.m. Surveillance video from the RTC bus captured Johnson standing and drawing a handgun as the bus made a stop. Johnson aimed his gun at another man at the back of the bus, firing four times.
The report indicates that the victim was struck multiple times, and screamed in pain as Johnson stood over him briefly before fleeing the bus. Eyewitnesses observed Johnson running through a parking lot and then descending the stairs of a nearby apartment building. Law enforcement used Johnson’s phone number and social media accounts, which matched the description provided by witnesses at the scene, to identify him.
Just a minute after the shooting, a citizen flagged down two officers in the area, reporting the incident. Simultaneously, numerous 911 calls were made by individuals on the bus, relaying the horrifying event to the authorities. Among the callers was the victim’s girlfriend. Upon arrival, officers found the victim at the rear of the bus suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. They administered lifesaving care, noting a gunshot wound to the victim’s stomach and heavy bleeding from his left leg.
Investigation at the scene revealed four spent cartridge casings, with one located outside the bus. Various witnesses on the bus recounted hearing multiple shots fired from the rear of the bus. The bus driver noted that she remembered letting Johnson on the bus, despite him not having money for the fare.
The victim, who was in too much pain to speak at the scene, was interviewed at UMC Trauma two days later. He recalled no interaction with Johnson on the bus but mentioned a humorous situation regarding flatulence which led to laughter. Shortly after, he heard a loud pop and realized he was bleeding from the stomach. The victim felt subsequent shots hitting him, causing burning sensations in his stomach, leg, and hand.
Johnson’s actions appear to have been triggered by the laughter, as surveillance footage from the bus confirmed no interaction between the two men prior to the shooting. The footage showed Johnson appearing irritated after hearing the laughter, and manipulating a firearm under his shirt before the shooting.
Further investigation led to the search of a nearby apartment where several items associated with Johnson were found, along with a .380 handgun and other firearm-related items. Records revealed Johnson had a prior felony charge from 2017 relating to firearm theft, and he did not possess a valid concealed carry permit.
This incident in Las Vegas highlights the unpredictable nature of threats and reinforces the rationale behind carrying concealed for personal protection. Despite the sudden escalation of violence in this scenario, possibly leaving no time to react, having a concealed carry firearm could provide a means of self-defense in similarly dangerous situations.
