22-year-old woman and a 1-year-old girl she was holding died after a 22-year-old man “lit up the car” just because the person he demanded to exit the vehicle did not comply; man arrested

Nevada – In a shocking act of violence in Nevada that left two innocent lives lost, a 22-year-old man, identified as Z. Ham, is facing serious criminal charges after authorities say he opened fire on a parked car, killing a young woman and a 1-year-old child she was holding. Ham has been accused of open murder with a deadly weapon following the fatal shooting that claimed the lives of 21-year-old D. Robinson and the toddler.

Prosecutors say the charges stem from a confrontation that occurred when Ham approached a vehicle and demanded that the person inside get out. When the individual did not comply, investigators say Ham pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots into the car before fleeing the area. Authorities later located Ham in another state, where he was arrested and now awaits extradition to Nevada to face the murder charges.

According to investigators, the tragic events unfolded while several people were gathered near the roadside. Police say a woman had been pulled over by officers during a traffic stop, and her friend had parked nearby while waiting for the situation to finish. Inside that parked vehicle were Robinson and the woman’s young daughter. Robinson, who was just 21 years old, was holding the toddler while the child’s mother spoke with police in the nearby vehicle. At some point, Ham arrived in the area while driving another car. Authorities say he parked his vehicle and approached the car where Robinson and the toddler were sitting.

According to a criminal complaint, Ham later told detectives that when he saw the car, he believed it should not have been there. Investigators say Ham walked up to the driver’s side window and demanded that the person inside the vehicle step out. When that demand was ignored, the situation escalated dramatically. According to police, Ham then fired nine gunshots into the vehicle. During questioning with detectives, Ham reportedly described the moment in disturbing terms. “[T]hat’s when I lit up the car, I ain’t even gonna lie,” he told investigators. After the shooting, Ham ran back to his vehicle and fled the scene.

Emergency responders were quickly called to the area following reports of gunfire. Both Robinson and the toddler were critically wounded in the attack. Paramedics transported the two victims to a nearby hospital where doctors attempted to save them. Despite medical efforts, both victims were pronounced dead shortly after arriving. Authorities say Robinson had been holding the young child when the gunfire struck. The deaths of the young woman and the toddler shocked the community and left family members grieving two lives lost in a sudden act of violence.

Following the shooting, investigators began searching for the suspect. Authorities later tracked Ham to Utah, where he was stopped by police on March 3 while driving a stolen vehicle. According to the police department in Utah, officers attempted a traffic stop but Ham fled, leading to a pursuit. Police eventually caught up with him and arrested him on charges of receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, failure to stop, and reckless driving. While in custody in Utah, Ham reportedly told officers that he wanted to speak with investigators from Nevada. 

According to police, Ham later spoke with detectives and explained what he claimed led up to the shooting. He told authorities that he had been visiting family in Nevada after traveling from Arizona. Ham allegedly claimed that he had been arguing with relatives and had pulled a gun on one of them before leaving their home. He also told investigators he believed “someone was following him” and said he felt isolated from family members who he believed had begun treating him like an outsider. Ham further claimed that he believed “he had a bounty on his head.” During the interview, authorities say Ham became emotional when discussing the shooting. Investigators said he became hysterical after realizing the consequences of his actions and stated, “I killed a child.” He reportedly told police that he did not intend to kill anyone.

Authorities say surveillance cameras captured key moments of the shooting. Video reportedly shows Ham approaching the vehicle, firing multiple shots into the car, then firing again toward the front before running back to his own vehicle and driving away. Investigators also confirmed that the suspected murder weapon was recovered. Ham is currently being held in jail in Utah while authorities prepare to extradite him to Nevada. Once transferred to Nevada, he is expected to face charges of open murder with a deadly weapon in connection with the deaths of Robinson and the toddler. Officials have not yet announced the date of his next court appearance, but the case continues to move forward as investigators and prosecutors seek justice for the young woman and child whose lives were tragically cut short.