Las Vegas Man Charged After Shooting Mother and Sister, Police Say He Had 'Paranoid Thoughts'

Tragic Incident in Southwest Las Vegas

A disturbing incident occurred in a home in the southwest Las Vegas valley, where a man allegedly shot his mother and sister in the head during a confrontation. According to an arrest report, the suspect, Jacob Lister, 29, was found to have “paranoid ideations” during his interaction with law enforcement.

Lister was arrested on charges of open murder and attempted murder. The incident took place on Sunday, July 27, around 5:30 p.m., when 911 dispatchers received a call from a woman who claimed her husband’s former coworker, identified as Lister, had called for help and said he had shot his mother and sister. She provided Lister’s home address, which led police to the scene.

Upon arrival, officers discovered Deborah Lister, the mother, and her daughter, both suffering from gunshot wounds to the head. Deborah was pronounced dead at the scene, while the sister was taken to a local hospital, where medical professionals reported a poor prognosis with minimal brain function.

Officers also located Lister and his former co-worker inside his truck at the intersection of Blue Diamond and Buffalo Drive, where Lister was taken into custody. Lister was living in the home with his mother and sister, and his father had moved out about three years ago. During the interview, Lister expressed “paranoid ideations,” claiming that his phone was bugged and that he was being set up by the government, police, and the IRS.

Background and Confrontation

According to the report, Lister claimed he had been repeatedly sexually abused by several family members throughout his life. Recently, he began recalling the abuse, which led him to pace the house on the day of the incident. His mother and sister were out of town for a funeral and returned home around 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Shortly after their return, Lister confronted his sister while pointing a handgun at her, demanding answers. He stated that the gun was given to him by a family member so he could kill another family member, whom he claimed had raped him. His sister then ran to her mother, and Lister followed her while still pointing the gun at her. Deborah tried to grab the gun from her son, resulting in him shooting her in the head.

The sister then ran to her mother, and Lister shot her once in the head. He then shot both of them in the head one more time before putting the dogs away on the other side of the house and placing the gun on the kitchen counter.

Aftermath and Legal Proceedings

After the incident, Lister called his former co-worker to come over. They met in the street, and Lister asked him to take him to Red Rock Hotel and Casino because he wanted to find an employee he remembered, who he claimed had stopped him from being sexually assaulted when he was a baby. Instead, the former co-worker took him to a gas station in the area, where they were stopped by police shortly after.

During the interview, Lister denied ever being diagnosed with a mental illness and denied any recent drug use other than smoking marijuana. He also claimed to have AIDS as a result of the sexual abuse but admitted he had never been formally diagnosed.

Lister was taken to the Clark County Detention Center and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

Resources for Survivors and Support

For individuals who may be struggling with the effects of trauma or abuse, there are various resources available. Those affected by sexual assault or abuse can find support through local organizations. Additionally, people dealing with mental health challenges can access helpful services. For those experiencing domestic violence or abuse, there are also local and state resources available to provide assistance and guidance.

If you or someone you know is in need of help, reaching out to these organizations can be a crucial step toward healing and recovery.