Topline: The man reportedly had a “toxic” relationship with the victim, and was trying to get rid of her body in the desert.
Published: January 24, 2025 9:30 am ET
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LAS VEGAS, NV — A man is in custody after he drove for over an hour with his dead girlfriend in the passenger seat, claiming to have “accidentally” shot her.
According to CBS affiliate KLAS, 24-year-old Julio Machado Vasquez, 24, allegedly reached out to a friend for help disposing of the body, prompting a 911 call that led to his arrest.
Police reports indicated the 911 caller stated that she received a call from Vasquez early on Sunday morning, just after 7:30 a.m. He told her that he had shot his girlfriend, later identified as 24-year-old Selene Perez, and was driving around near East Sahara Avenue “where the road ends.”
The caller described Vasquez as sounding “panicked” and incoherent, with references to the 911 caller’s brother being in prison for a past shooting. He allegedly said, “It happened to me, but it was an accident,” before recounting the details of the incident.
Vasquez claimed that he and Perez had been arguing when she grabbed a gun from the car. He said he then took the gun back, placing it near his head and saying, “If you’re going to do it, do it right.” He insisted the gun’s safety was on and that he was “testing her” when the firearm discharged, hitting Perez in the back of the head, according to police.
Despite his story, the 911 caller questioned how the gun could have accidentally shot Perez in the back of the head. Vasquez allegedly refused to touch her body and instead asked for her help in “getting rid of the body in the desert.” He rejected her suggestion to take Perez to a hospital, reportedly saying, “They will see me on [camera].”
For over an hour, Vasquez continued driving with Perez’s body in the car. Police later spotted his blue Ford Mustang and attempted a traffic stop. Vasquez refused to pull over, leading to a pursuit that ended in a crash with another vehicle.
Authorities described the relationship between Vasquez and Perez as “toxic.” The couple, who had known each other since high school, had been in an on-again, off-again relationship. The caller also noted that Machado Vasquez was frequently armed.
Vasquez is currently being held on an open murder charge. He is also facing charges of disobeying a peace officer, resulting in bodily harm or death.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to gather information about the circumstances surrounding Perez’s death.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Las Vegas Man Claims He ‘Accidentally’ Shot Girlfriend in Back of Head
The man reportedly had a “toxic” relationship with the victim, and was trying to get rid of her body in the desert.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 24, 2025 9:30 am ET
LAS VEGAS, NV — A man is in custody after he drove for over an hour with his dead girlfriend in the passenger seat, claiming to have “accidentally” shot her.
According to CBS affiliate KLAS, 24-year-old Julio Machado Vasquez, 24, allegedly reached out to a friend for help disposing of the body, prompting a 911 call that led to his arrest.
Police reports indicated the 911 caller stated that she received a call from Vasquez early on Sunday morning, just after 7:30 a.m. He told her that he had shot his girlfriend, later identified as 24-year-old Selene Perez, and was driving around near East Sahara Avenue “where the road ends.”
The caller described Vasquez as sounding “panicked” and incoherent, with references to the 911 caller’s brother being in prison for a past shooting. He allegedly said, “It happened to me, but it was an accident,” before recounting the details of the incident.
Vasquez claimed that he and Perez had been arguing when she grabbed a gun from the car. He said he then took the gun back, placing it near his head and saying, “If you’re going to do it, do it right.” He insisted the gun’s safety was on and that he was “testing her” when the firearm discharged, hitting Perez in the back of the head, according to police.
Despite his story, the 911 caller questioned how the gun could have accidentally shot Perez in the back of the head. Vasquez allegedly refused to touch her body and instead asked for her help in “getting rid of the body in the desert.” He rejected her suggestion to take Perez to a hospital, reportedly saying, “They will see me on [camera].”
For over an hour, Vasquez continued driving with Perez’s body in the car. Police later spotted his blue Ford Mustang and attempted a traffic stop. Vasquez refused to pull over, leading to a pursuit that ended in a crash with another vehicle.
Authorities described the relationship between Vasquez and Perez as “toxic.” The couple, who had known each other since high school, had been in an on-again, off-again relationship. The caller also noted that Machado Vasquez was frequently armed.
Vasquez is currently being held on an open murder charge. He is also facing charges of disobeying a peace officer, resulting in bodily harm or death.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to gather information about the circumstances surrounding Perez’s death.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Las Vegas Man Claims He ‘Accidentally’ Shot Girlfriend in Back of Head
The man reportedly had a “toxic” relationship with the victim, and was trying to get rid of her body in the desert.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 24, 2025 9:30 am ET
LAS VEGAS, NV — A man is in custody after he drove for over an hour with his dead girlfriend in the passenger seat, claiming to have “accidentally” shot her.
According to CBS affiliate KLAS, 24-year-old Julio Machado Vasquez, 24, allegedly reached out to a friend for help disposing of the body, prompting a 911 call that led to his arrest.
Police reports indicated the 911 caller stated that she received a call from Vasquez early on Sunday morning, just after 7:30 a.m. He told her that he had shot his girlfriend, later identified as 24-year-old Selene Perez, and was driving around near East Sahara Avenue “where the road ends.”
The caller described Vasquez as sounding “panicked” and incoherent, with references to the 911 caller’s brother being in prison for a past shooting. He allegedly said, “It happened to me, but it was an accident,” before recounting the details of the incident.
Vasquez claimed that he and Perez had been arguing when she grabbed a gun from the car. He said he then took the gun back, placing it near his head and saying, “If you’re going to do it, do it right.” He insisted the gun’s safety was on and that he was “testing her” when the firearm discharged, hitting Perez in the back of the head, according to police.
Despite his story, the 911 caller questioned how the gun could have accidentally shot Perez in the back of the head. Vasquez allegedly refused to touch her body and instead asked for her help in “getting rid of the body in the desert.” He rejected her suggestion to take Perez to a hospital, reportedly saying, “They will see me on [camera].”
For over an hour, Vasquez continued driving with Perez’s body in the car. Police later spotted his blue Ford Mustang and attempted a traffic stop. Vasquez refused to pull over, leading to a pursuit that ended in a crash with another vehicle.
Authorities described the relationship between Vasquez and Perez as “toxic.” The couple, who had known each other since high school, had been in an on-again, off-again relationship. The caller also noted that Machado Vasquez was frequently armed.
Vasquez is currently being held on an open murder charge. He is also facing charges of disobeying a peace officer, resulting in bodily harm or death.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to gather information about the circumstances surrounding Perez’s death.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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