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, reached an agreement known as a plea deal. This deal meant he would spend a duration of time ranging between 10 to 25 years in prison. The reason behind this sentence was his involvement in the hit-and-run incident leading to the death of Armani Williams, 23, in November 2022.
On Tuesday, Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny formalized Chavez’s sentence on one count of murder in the second degree.
The events unfolded on November 23, 2022, when the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to a call regarding an incident along West Lake Mead Boulevard. This specific location was identified as the area between Anasazi Drive and Hallston Street. At the scene, a man was found lying motionless, as reported by a 911 caller.
By the time first responders arrived, Williams was dead.
Furthermore, Chavez himself contacted the authorities later that same day. His call was to inform them about the alleged theft of his vehicle. This information was obtained from court documents revealed by KLAS, a CBS affiliate based in Las Vegas.
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.
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.
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.
