John Jefferson
Ethan Chavez (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department).
A Nevada man will spend at least a decade behind bars for intentionally killing a friend and coworker in a telegraphed fit of rage.
In December 2024, Ethan Chavez, 22, agreed to a plea deal in which he would serve between 10 and 25 years in prison for the November 2022 hit-and-run death of Armani Williams, 23.
On Tuesday, Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny formalized Chavez’s sentence on one count of murder in the second degree.
On Nov. 23, 2022, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was called to a crime scene on West Lake Mead Boulevard — a stretch of road between Anasazi Drive and Hallston Street. On the side of that road, a man was lying unresponsive, a 911 caller said.
By the time first responders arrived, Williams was dead.
Chavez also called law enforcement later that same day — to report that his car had been stolen, according to court documents obtained by Las Vegas-based CBS affiliate KLAS.
The defendant was first charged with leaving the scene of a death after telling investigators “he didn’t see the man until he struck him,” according to court documents filed in the case.
Soon enough, detectives noticed inconsistencies and the LVMPD’s homicide section took hold of the investigation.
In May 2023, Chavez was arrested on one count of murder in the first degree after police determined he intentionally struck the victim, KLAS reported. The arrest warrant, containing key details about the night of Williams’ death, was later obtained by the TV station.
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As it turned out, the pair both worked at the same Cafe Rio location. Then, detectives learned that Williams had called Chavez the night before the crash.
While interviewing people who knew both the defendant and the victim, investigators were shown a message from Chavez in which he said “he was sorry for what happened, and that they got into an argument that night, and he told [Williams] to walk,” according to the arrest warrant.
Police now believe the pair were traveling together in Chavez’s car on the night in question — before an ugly argument between them prompted the driver to kick his passenger out along the roadway.
But the argument — and the ugliness — would continue with the help of text messages.
“I’ll kill you and yo whole family don’t play with me clown,” Chavez is said to have texted Williams at one point before doubling back to make good on the first half of the threat.
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Chavez’s cellphone contained additional incriminating evidence, police said. A series of internet searches included: “replace front windshield,” and “what to do if my stolen car was used in a hit and run,” and “Las Vegas hit and run,” according to court documents obtained by KLAS.
During his sentencing hearing, Chavez was granted time-served credits dating back to his May 2023 arrest. He will become eligible for parole in 2033.
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