Las Vegas Casino Guard Murdered, Suspect Had 48 Prior Arrests
A Las Vegas man is being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center after being indicted last week for the murder of Randall Lyons, 67. Lyons, a security guard for the El Cortez in downtown Las Vegas, was pushed to his death on the job last year. His accused murder has 48 prior arrests, according to police records uncovered by KLAS-TV/Las Vegas.
On Sept. 26, 2021, Lyons responded to a call about a man causing a disturbance in the hotel’s valet, according to the arrest report. When he approached Lizano, police said, he was “forcefully and aggressively shoved” with both hands by the man, who then fled the scene. Lyons’ head hit the pavement, rendering him unconscious. Paramedics rushed him to a local hospital, where he was determined to have a brain bleed. He never fully regained consciousness.
Police distributed photos of Lizano to all nearby hotels and casinos. The next morning, an officer recognized Lizano outside of a business near Sahara Avenue and Paradise Road and arrested him. Initially, Lizano faced charges of battery resulting in substantial bodily harm. Investigators said they attempted to interview him, but his responses were “incoherent.” A witness identified Lizano in a photo lineup.
A Tearful Goodbye
On Feb. 23, 2022, after doctors informed Lyons’ wife that he had developed a second brain bleed and was not expected to survive, she made the difficult decision to remove him from life support.
“I said, ‘I’m going to miss you’ and ‘this is the best thing for you,’ and he squeezed my hand like he understood,” Elizabeth MacDowell told KLAS-TV.
After Lyons’ death, prosecutors filed a murder charge against Lizano, court records showed. Last Wednesday, a grand jury indicted Lizano on felony counts of murder against a victim who was 60 or older and battery resulting in substantial bodily harm against a victim who was 60 or older.
During his arraignment on Monday, Lizano entered a plea of guilty, twice, after Judge Tierra Jones asked him to clarify it. After being corrected by his attorney, Lizano amended his plea to “not guilty.”
49 Arrests
Though many of Lizano’s priors were for missing court dates, records showed his most recent arrest was for battery and vehicle theft. Lizano was never sentenced to time in any case.
“I don’t hate him, but I can’t forgive him,” MacDowell told KLAS-TV about the man charged with killing her husband.
Lizano is due in court again next week. His attorney asked a judge for a trial within 60 days.
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