LAS VEGAS, Nev. — A 22-year-old man arrested in Utah is set to be extradited to Las Vegas after allegedly shooting into a parked vehicle, resulting in the deaths of 20-year-old Danaijha Robinson and her one-year-old niece, Nhalani Hiner, on March 2.
The incident transitioned swiftly from a tragic double homicide to a cross-state manhunt. Authorities identified the suspect as Ziaire Ham, who is now facing charges of open murder with a deadly weapon. Investigators continue to piece together various elements of the shooting, which occurred shortly after officers were nearby conducting an unrelated traffic stop.
Around 9:08 p.m. that night, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officers were executing a traffic stop when they heard gunfire in the vicinity. Upon canvassing the area, they discovered a blue Hyundai in the 11000 block of Victoria Medici Street, riddled with bullet holes. Robinson and Nhalani were found inside the vehicle and were transported to a hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.
Investigators revealed that Ham had traveled to Las Vegas from Arizona. According to court documents, he claimed he argued with family members prior to leaving home with a firearm. After his apprehension in Utah, Ham requested to speak with Las Vegas detectives, where he allegedly recounted his actions leading up to the shooting. He purportedly believed the vehicle was suspicious and that he was being followed, prompting him to open fire when he saw that the occupants did not exit the car.
Surveillance footage from the area corroborated the timeline, showing Ham approaching the vehicle and firing multiple rounds before fleeing. Officers later confirmed that both fatalities were ruled homicides, further compounding the community’s outrage. Specific details about the conflict leading to Ham’s actions remain unclear, as authorities found no evidence that Robinson or Nhalani posed any threat to him.
The altercation came shortly after the victims and other relatives had traveled in a convoy for an evening outing. Witness accounts noted that Robinson and Nhalani remained in the blue Hyundai while other family members approached officers at the nearby traffic stop. The rapid response of law enforcement in the area contributed to the initial investigation but also heightened the emotional impact felt by the community as the reality of a double homicide unfolded.
One day after the shootings, Ham was captured in Ogden, Utah, when an automated license plate reader flagged a stolen SUV affiliated with the suspects. Although he initially attempted to evade police, he was arrested without incident. Utah authorities charged him with several offenses before he was identified as the suspect in the Las Vegas murders.
As the investigation spans across state lines and various suburban locales, law enforcement continues to search for the firearm believed to have been discarded during Ham’s escape. While he currently remains detained in the Weber County Jail, plans for his extradition to Nevada are underway.
The double shooting has drawn significant media and public attention, with local leaders and community members expressing grief over the loss of Robinson and her young niece. Families are coming together in mourning, sharing memories and support for the victims as the legal process prepares to unfold in the coming weeks.