Two Juveniles Charged In Connection Of Silver Stone Golf Club Fire
Each Charged With Arson Second Degree
Two juveniles have been charged with arson in connection with the fire that destroyed the former Silver Stone Golf Club clubhouse on November 15, 2021. Firefighters from Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Clark County fought the blaze for several hours before it was brought under control and extinguished days later. It has since been demolished and removed from the property. Damage was estimated at $5 million.
Because of the enormity of the investigation and the large fire scene, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue requested assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) with the investigation. Specifically what was requested was the ATF’s National Response Team (NRT).
NRTs are activated when a major fire, explosion or bombing requires additional operational capabilities to support local authorities or ATF resources investigations. NRTs can travel anywhere in the nation within 24 hours. Once operational, they provide a command and control structure along with significant logistical support that brings various experts together as a team to analyze complex fire/explosion-related crime scenes. They also participate in the criminal investigative process and provide expert testimony in court.
NRTs are made up of veteran special agents and scientific technicians with expertise in fire origin/cause determination and post-blast analysis, including Certified Fire Investigators, Certified Explosives Specialists (CES), CES Bomb Technicians, Explosives Enforcement Officers, forensic chemists, engineers, medics, and canine handlers. The teams are supported by ATF’s intelligence research specialists, forensic auditors, digital media specialists, and other technical and legal l experts who work with law enforcement on criminal cases.
The teams are supported by ATF’s intelligence research specialists, forensic auditors, digital media specialists, and other technical and legal experts who work with law enforcement on criminal cases
NRT members apply their specialized skills to investigate crime scenes, reconstruct fire origins, and identify the cause. They also conduct witness interviews as part of the investigative process. Their work is mentally and physically demanding, requiring long hours and a great depth of technical knowledge.
Nearly 25 members of the NRT assisted LVFR Arson Investigators with the investigation for over two weeks. After the NRT departed, LVFR investigators continued to work with ATF agents from the Las Vegas office of the ATF.
Most of the investigation consisted of interviews which help lead investigators to the two juveniles who have been charged. The review of countless social media posts and videos also aided investigators. Without the help of the additional agents the investigation would have been more difficult.
The case has been handed over to the Clark County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Because the incident involves juveniles, details about the incident are not being released. Both of the juveniles are being charged with one count of Arson Second Degree.
The National Response Team also assisted LVFR Arson Investigators with the fire that destroyed the Roy Martin Middle School on July 5, 2005. In that fire, investigators determined that juveniles playing with fireworks inside the school’s gymnasium started the fire which destroyed the building.
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