Fatal Stabbing at West Las Vegas Panda Express
Justin Ringer, 22, faces a felony open murder charge after fatally stabbing Daniel Ohayon, 29, a homeless man, outside a Panda Express in the west Las Vegas Valley on Valentine’s Day. Authorities responded to reports of a suspicious man on the ground in the 2000 block of North Buffalo Drive, near West Lake Mead Boulevard, around 5:45 p.m. on February 14.
Officers found Ohayon unresponsive and covered in blood in a UMC Quick Care parking lot. Medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene due to multiple large wounds on the back and side of his head. The Clark County coroner’s office determined the cause of death as sharp force injuries.
Investigators discovered Ohayon’s backpack, a blood trail leading to North Buffalo Drive, blood drops across the street, and a bloody baseball bat further down the road.
Surveillance Footage Captures Confrontation
Video from the nearby Panda Express shows Ringer, his ex-girlfriend, and her boyfriend arriving at the restaurant before the altercation. The woman stated that she and her boyfriend encountered Ohayon sleeping in a bag behind a power box while walking to the eatery. She tossed pebbles at his leg, prompting him to sit up. After apologizing, they left, but Ohayon followed, saying, “come here, come here, I got something for you.”
The couple called Ringer for help. Footage captures them entering the restaurant at 5:23 p.m. Ohayon peered inside before crossing the street. Data from Ohayon’s phone revealed a photo and video of the couple inside, taken through the window at 5:37 p.m.
After ordering, the boyfriend called Ringer again. Ringer arrived on a scooter with a baseball bat, paced the lot, then rode around the building. The couple exited a side door. The woman reported that Ringer crossed the street to confront Ohayon, with her boyfriend following, bat in hand, saying, “watch this.”
Ringer slapped Ohayon. As they walked away, Ohayon threw a rock that missed. Ringer then charged and made overhand stabbing motions toward Ohayon’s neck. The woman noted blood on the bat but said she did not see her boyfriend strike Ohayon with it.
Video shows Ringer and the boyfriend fleeing east across North Buffalo Drive around 5:42 p.m. The woman carried food and a drink. She later ended her relationship with the boyfriend.
Suspect’s Statements and Evidence
A search of Ringer’s garage residence uncovered bloody khaki shorts and a black knife he admitted using in the stabbing. Ringer initially denied leaving home that day, then claimed a dog walk, before admitting the call from the couple drew him to the scene.
Confronted with video evidence, Ringer identified himself and described seeing apologies exchanged before Ohayon threw a rock, prompting a punch. He denied using a knife initially, insisting on self-defense despite tracking Ohayon, confronting him, and charging after the missed rock throw.
Ringer questioned detectives on why authorities rejected his self-defense claim, stating he feared Ohayon charging after the rock. He eventually confessed to stabbing Ohayon twice and said he did not call police, believing the injuries were not severe.
Ringer’s next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday in Las Vegas Justice Court.
