Father Collapses in Grief as Police Reveal Stepson Brandon Dominguez-Chavarria Was Fatally Shot
Newly released police body-camera footage shows the heartbreaking moment a Nevada father learned that his 11-year-old stepson, Brandon Dominguez-Chavarria, had been fatally shot during a road-rage encounter on the 215 Beltway near Henderson.
The tragedy unfolded on the morning of November 14 as Brandon sat in the back seat of his stepfather Valente Ayala’s SUV on the way to school.
According to the Henderson Police Department, Ayala’s vehicle and a car driven by 22-year-old Tyler Matthew Johns became involved in aggressive driving behavior while “jockeying for position” in traffic. The tension escalated when Johns reportedly tried to pass on the freeway shoulder, sparking a verbal exchange between the drivers. Moments later, police say Johns fired a single round into Ayala’s SUV.
The bullet struck Brandon in the head.
Panicked and desperate, Ayala rammed Johns’ vehicle to stop him from fleeing. Both men then exited their cars and confronted each other until a passerby alerted a nearby officer.
Bodycam video from arriving officers shows Ayala collapsing to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably and shouting:
“My kid is dead… my son!”
Officers attempted to comfort him as paramedics rushed to treat Brandon, but despite their efforts, the child could not be saved. The Clark County Coroner confirmed he died from a single gunshot wound to the head.
Johns was detained at the scene. Both in reports and on video, he repeatedly expressed remorse, saying:
“It’s 100 percent my fault. I didn’t even know he had a kid in the car.”
He now faces charges including open murder with a deadly weapon and multiple firearms-related offenses. He remains in custody at the Henderson Detention Center.
Prosecutors reviewed Ayala’s decision to ram Johns’ car, but Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson announced no charges would be filed, noting that Ayala acted during a moment of acute emotional trauma and did not meet the standard for criminal negligence.
Brandon’s family described him as a joyful child who loved soccer, Roblox, and spending time with his siblings. A GoFundMe page created by relatives calls him:
“The light of our family — a sweet soul whose life was stolen in a senseless act of anger.”
Henderson Police Chief Reggie Rader urged the community to reflect on the tragedy, calling it:
“A sobering reminder that seconds of anger can destroy lives forever.”
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities review evidence, interview witnesses, and analyze traffic footage. Brandon’s death adds to a troubling rise in deadly road-rage incidents nationwide, a pattern officials say demands urgent attention.
