On July 13, 2022, 15-year-old Marcello Santos was shot and killed by his mother, 37-year-old Marcella Scott, inside their home on the 3800 block of Via Lucia Drive in northeast Las Vegas, Nevada. The mother then fatally shot herself. Both were found unresponsive when law enforcement responded to a 911 call just before 8 p.m. and were pronounced deceased at the scene. The LVMPD Homicide Section investigated the case as a murder-suicide. The Clark County Department of Family Services had no prior child protective services history for the child or any member of his household.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
The fatality report states "Both had sustained gunshot wounds, and were pronounced deceased on scene." The news article confirms: "the woman shot and killed her son before taking her own life."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The fatality report states the child "sustained gunshot wounds, and [was] pronounced deceased on scene." The news article further specifies: "The investigation by the LVMPD Homicide Section indicates the woman shot and killed her son before taking her own life." The child suffered an inflicted gunshot injury.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
The fatality report states: "Law enforcement is investigating the case as an apparent murder-suicide." The news article headline and body identify the incident as a "murder-suicide," and states "the woman shot and killed her son before taking her own life."
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The news article explicitly identifies the perpetrator as the child's mother: "Las Vegas police say a mother shot her teenage son before shooting herself" and "the woman shot and killed her son before taking her own life." The perpetrator is identified as 37-year-old Marcella Scott.
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
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