Three people have been arrested in connection with a melee that led to shooting inside an east valley Walmart by a man killed moments later by Las Vegas police in the store’s parking lot.

Authorities said 28-year-old Kwame Swain was fighting with his girlfriend, Zsejhuana Saunders, outside the front entrance of the store in the 5100 block of Boulder Highway near Nellis Boulevard, as two women approached around 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Swain “said something” to the women, identified as Ameea Blue, 30, and Raqiya Halima Smith, 25, and the four exchanged words before Blue tried to punch Swain, who swung back, according to a Metropolitan Police Department arrest report.

The exchange of words was not detailed in the report, which said Blue, Smith and Swain began to fight, as Saunders tried to break up the brawl before Smith punched her.

Smith then called her husband, Travis Ward, police said. Two witnesses told police they heard her tell Ward to bring a gun.

Security broke up the fight, and both parties eventually went into the store.

Ward drove to the Walmart and parked in front of the entrance doors, the report said.

Smith yelled, “He’s inside. No shirt,” according to the report.

Ward then ran into the store, pulled a handgun from his right front pocket and shot Swain in the abdomen, the report said. Police said Ward tried to shoot Swain again, but his gun malfunctioned, so he left the store.

A Metro officer had arrived as the shooting unfolded and saw Ward running out with the gun in his right hand, according to the report.

The officer, identified as Cristobal Magana, 29, shot Ward several times, police said.

Ward, who fell to the ground, was handcuffed and pronounced dead on the scene, police said. Swain, who suffered a gunshot wound through the abdomen and through his back, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

Swain, who remained hospitalized as of Thursday, was arrested and booked in absentia on unrelated misdemeanor domestic battery charges and a felony count of attempted coercion constituting domestic violence. His bail was set at $3,000.

Blue and Raqiya Halima Smith are being held at the Clark County Detention Center on suspicion of conspiracy to commit battery, battery with a deadly weapon and disregarding the safety of people and property resulting in death or substantial bodily harm.

In Las Vegas Justice Court on Thursday, Smith and Blue appeared before Justice of the Peace Suzan Baucum. Smith was wearing a light-colored top with reddish-colored stains on it.

Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Sarah Overly asked Baucum to order Smith be held without bail, and for bail to be set at $25,000 for Blue.

“This occurred in a Walmart, a Walmart store, which is slammed on a daily basis with citizens, children, employees,” Overly said. “And not only is there a physical fight — there is an effort to wait for this person to show up with a firearm and then to, you know, shoot somebody in an open store.”

When Baucum briefly spoke about the case and noted a person lost their life, Smith blurted out, “The individual was my husband. He passed.”

Baucum ordered Smith held without bail. The judge noted Smith was arrested on new felony charges while out of custody and serving suspended sentences in three other open cases. Those include a battery case in North Las Vegas Municipal Court, a battery domestic violence and tampering with a vehicle case in Las Vegas Municipal Court and a theft and battery case in Las Vegas Justice Court.

Smith also has two prior failures to appear in court, the judge said.

Bail was set at $25,000 for Blue. Blue was convicted of robbery in Las Vegas in 2022 and previously served time in state prison. Blue also has eight prior failures to appear in court.

“Now we are back here again,” Overly said. “Somebody has lost their life. Somebody else has been shot in the stomach.”

Public Defender Josie Bayudan said both Blue and Smith are employed and moms of young children. She said Blue works at a local animal hospital.

Bayudan also disputed the contention that Blue and Smith started the confrontation in front of the Walmart, noting the allegations are “going to be difficult for the state to prove.”

Magana has been employed with the department since 2024. He is assigned to the Community Safety Division Southeast Area Command. He is on routine paid administrative leave.

Contact Glenn Puit at gpuit@reviewjournal.com. Contact Akiya Dillon at adillon@reviewjournal.com.