Henderson, NV — Newly released bodycam footage from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) captures the devastating aftermath of a road-rage shooting that left 11-year-old Brandon Dominguez dead — and shows the boy’s stepfather collapsing in grief on the freeway while the alleged gunman calmly surrendered.
The emotional footage shows Valente Ayala, the child’s stepfather, screaming in anguish as he tells an officer that his stepson is dead in the backseat of their Chevy SUV following a confrontation on Interstate 215 on November 15.
“My kid is dead! My son!” Ayala howls, pointing feverishly toward the vehicle as he crumbles under the weight of the moment.
Morning Drive Turns Deadly
Authorities said Ayala was driving the 11-year-old to school at around 7:30 a.m. when he became entangled in a lane-jockeying dispute with 22-year-old Tyler Matthew Johns on the congested Henderson stretch of I-215.
The two drivers reportedly weaved past each other, rolled down their windows, and exchanged heated shouts — a confrontation that quickly escalated far beyond the typical morning traffic quarrel.
Gunman Calmly Surrenders After Admitting to Shooting
The footage shows a striking contrast between Ayala’s raw grief and the demeanor of Tyler Matthew Johns, who approaches the officer moments later, places his hands behind his back, and confesses to the shooting.
“I shot at him, bro,” Johns admits, later adding that the two were “road raging” and that the killing was “100 percent my fault.”
In a moment of guilt-ridden clarity, he adds, “I didn’t know there was a f—ing kid in the back and I killed him.”
Boy Found Dead in Backseat
As the stepfather collapses on the shoulder of the freeway, bodycam video shows the responding officer discovering young Brandon Dominguez fatally wounded in the rear seat. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
Crash and Fight Erupt After Shooting
Before the police arrived, Ayala reportedly rammed his SUV into Johns’ four-door sedan after the gunfire, causing both vehicles to stop abruptly in the middle of the roadway. Both men then jumped out of their cars, erupting into another volatile altercation.
A passing Las Vegas police officer broke up the fight and immediately detained Johns, as per The Post.
Charges and Upcoming Court Appearance
According to officials, Tyler Matthew Johns has been charged with murder and discharging a firearm into a vehicle. He is scheduled to appear in court on December 4.
The tragedy has shaken residents throughout the Henderson and Las Vegas area. Community advocates and frustrated parents have expressed anger that an everyday traffic dispute escalated into the death of an innocent child on his way to school.
Law enforcement continues to review bodycam footage, witness accounts, and dashcam recordings to construct a full picture of the events leading up to the shooting.
How do incidents like this reshape the conversation about road-rage violence and gun responsibility?
Should law enforcement push for tougher penalties, or is public awareness the key? Share your thoughts in the comments — your voice matters.
