Woman Charged With Open Murder After Discharging Weapon During A Photoshoot

Authorities have charged a woman after she reportedly shot a man during a photoshoot. She was posing with the firearm at the time.

What happened: According to a press release by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), officers responded to a shooting on August 23 at around 4:47 AM in the 1000 block of Nassau Drive.

• When authorities arrived, they found a male victim with a gunshot wound. Officers provided aid until medical personnel arrived, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Homicide Section was notified and took over the investigation.
• Detectives learned that the victim was the cameraman in a photoshoot. He was reportedly taking pictures of 20-year-old Allysandra Blea, who was posing with a firearm near a vehicle. The press release explains that the gun discharged during the photo shoot and struck the victim.
• Officers arrested Blea several days later on August 26. Authorities charged her with Open Murder with a Deadly Weapon. Per Shouselaw, “Open Murder” typically refers to when prosecutors want to charge with first-degree murder, but are unsure they can prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The term is broad and covers murder and manslaughter.

The Cameraman In The Photoshoot Was Reportedly The Suspect’s Boyfriend

A report by FOX 5 Vegas reveals that the victim was Mark Gaughan, Blea’s boyfriend. The suspect reportedly told police that the shooting was accidental. However, authorities remain unconvinced.

• The 911 caller reportedly said the couple came over around midnight and started drinking. He said he fell asleep and later woke up to screaming. The caller discovered that Blea had shot Gaughan. Officers reportedly found Polaroid photos of Blea posing with a gun and another girl posing with a knife.
• Per FOX 5, the 911 caller claimed he unloaded his firearm and emptied the chamber before falling asleep. The caller’s girlfriend stated that she noticed the magazine was back in the gun when Blea used it for photos. The suspect told officers she did not know the gun was loaded.
• Police reportedly claimed that Blea had conversations about firearms online. Officers allegedly found one message which read, “I wish I could shoot people with real guns and get away with it.” They reportedly found another conversation between Blea and Gaughan where the victim suggested they could shoot a dummy. The suspect replied, “We gotta shoot someone real. Going to be the tunnels. If it’s only one a night the police will remain clueless.”

The investigation remains ongoing, and Blea’s initial court appearance was on September 2.