Dezmond Teate-Edwards, 15, appears in North Las Vegas Justice Court on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. H

15-Year-Old Charged in Deadly North Las Vegas Retaliatory Shooting Following High School Fight

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A 15-year-old faces murder charges following a North Las Vegas ambush

Dezmond Teate-Edwards, a 15-year-old boy, appeared in North Las Vegas Justice Court on Tuesday to face charges of open murder and attempted murder. The charges stem from a deadly retaliatory shooting that investigators say was triggered by a high school brawl earlier this year. While the arraignment was intended to proceed, Justice of the Peace Belinda Harris delayed the formal process for two weeks, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

During the brief proceeding, the court confirmed that Las Vegas attorney Robert Draskovich has been appointed to represent Teate-Edwards. Draskovich noted he accepted the appointment specifically because of the defendant’s age and indicated he is beginning to explore the possibility of a negotiation in the case. Teate-Edwards is currently being held in custody without bail.

The legal proceedings are attempting to untangle a violent chain of events that began on February 18, 2026. According to a North Las Vegas police arrest report cited by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Teate-Edwards and a 10th-grade student at Legacy High School were involved in a physical fight. The dispute reportedly began because Teate-Edwards was upset regarding negative comments posted about him on Instagram.

The escalation from a schoolyard fight to a 21-round barrage

What began as a localized dispute between students quickly transformed into a coordinated vehicular ambush. The 10th grader involved in the initial fight told police he had won the altercation, an outcome that left Teate-Edwards aggrieved. Shortly after the fight, the student was traveling in a Volkswagen Jetta driven by 21-year-old Tazzion Benard, Jr.

As the vehicle moved through the 100 block of East Rome Boulevard, it was cut off by a BMW featuring distinctive red rims. The Nevada Globe reported that a gunman emerged from the BMW and unleashed a 21-round barrage of gunfire at the victims. The high-volume spray struck multiple passengers, killing Benard and leaving others with critical injuries. One teenager was pronounced dead at University Medical Center (UMC) Trauma.

Police investigations linked the pursuit back to the school fight through cell phone data and surveillance footage. Detectives allege that after the brawl, Teate-Edwards went to the home of 32-year-old Deshawn Pitts to complain that the fight was unfair. Authorities say Teate-Edwards then coordinated with Pitts and 21-year-old Kali Hines to track down the Jetta in the BMW.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of three individuals, all of whom face murder and attempted murder charges:

  • Kali Hines, 21: Identified by police as the gunman; he confessed to the shooting and is being held at the Clark County Detention Center.
  • Deshawn Pitts, 32: The alleged driver of the BMW; detectives found a handgun and ammunition matching the crime scene in his vehicle’s glove box.
  • Dezmond Teate-Edwards, 15: Accused of orchestrating the retaliation with older associates.

Legal complexities regarding juvenile jurisdiction

The involvement of a 15-year-old in a homicide case introduces significant procedural hurdles under Nevada law. Because Teate-Edwards is 15, his case rests on specific statutory requirements regarding how juveniles are handled in the justice system. The Nevada Globe noted that while 16-year-olds facing murder charges are automatically transferred to adult court under NRS 62B.390, a 15-year-old requires a formal certification hearing to determine if they should be tried as an adult.

Las vegas justice facility
Photo: thenevadaglobe.com

This distinction creates a high-stakes environment for the defense and the prosecution. If the court certifies Teate-Edwards as an adult, he will face the same sentencing structures as the older defendants involved in the ambush. For now, the judicial timeline remains staggered for the three suspects.

'It's not a mistake': Judge sentences North Las Vegas man in DUI crash that killed friend
Defendant Current Custody Status Next Scheduled Court Appearance
Kali Hines Held at Clark County Detention Center Jury trial scheduled for March
Deshawn Pitts Out of custody November 12, 2026
Dezmond Teate-Edwards Held without bail November 17, 2026

As the court prepares for the next phase of these proceedings, the community is left to grapple with how a social media grievance escalated into a multi-round ambush on a residential street. Teate-Edwards is scheduled to return to the North Las Vegas Justice Court on November 17 for a preliminary hearing.

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