By: Stephen Jackson
On the night of July 8, Metro Officers responded to the Liquor Outlet on North Nellis after reports that the clerk was dead inside. When officers arrived, they found 42-year-old Paul Stitt deceased behind the cash register with a single gunshot wound to the head.
Homicide investigators were called to the scene for follow-up investigation. Detectives pulled the store’s surveillance video and found that the crime had been captured on tape.
The suspects are described as African-American men, about 20-years-old, 5′10″ to 6′ in height, weighing 160 to 180 pounds.
Both were wearing dark colored hats with flat brims. One possibly had a C on the front, similar to the Chicago Bears NFL logo. The other possibly had a D, similar to the Detroit Tigers MLB logo on the front. Both suspects were also wearing oversized white shirts and dark pants.
An unknown amount of money was taken.
Not only was Paul Vee (Stitt) like a brother to me, we had worked together closely on lyrics that I would write and he would sing. It was a partnership that bonded us for a lifetime. A lifetime that has been cut way to short by a senseless act driven by greed, ignorance, and no reguard for human life, a trend that is becoming far to frequent in our society these strange days. It’s a sad coincidence that he had to die standing up for what He and I so passionately beleived and wrote about. Honor, dignity, compassion, and the courage to stand up to selfish, shallow idiots who don’t understand that these are the values that truely great men posess. Paul died protecting another mans money. It wasn’t the material value he was protecting, it was his natural instinct to deny those who tried to take something they did not earn, another constant trend in a disfunctional society. Thats what made Paul great and thats the reason so many people loved Paul and were drawn to him.
I can still remember our first gig playing for an audience in Denver. After two years of writing and polishing over 20 original songs, I knew the hard work was paying off and had to continue. I remember holding my head down while I was playing my drums so people couldn’t see the tears rolling down my cheeks, after all, We were a Metal band and bad ass Metal bands don’t cry. They were tears of joy. The joy of finally getting it right. After all those years of having that music and those lyrics trapped in my head, they were out and sounding better than I had imagined. Paul Vee brought that to life and made many people, including myself, laugh, cry, think, and bang their heads. We will miss and love him always. I will think of him every day and those who took him from us will certainly have Hell to pay!!!!
Love Ya forever Paul, Bobby Brott
P.S. It would be greatly appreciated if you would post this on your web site with future updates on this tragic story. Thankyou.
Comment by Robert Brott — July 11, 2008 @ 12:50 pm
I have been a musician for 20 years and would not have been if not for seeing the inspiring performances of Paul. Im sure I am one of many that was in awe watching a world class talent perform. Over the years I became friends with Paul and he is one of the most intersting, charismatic people I ever have and probably ever will meet.
I am overwhelmed and at a loss for words at this utterly evil disregard for a human life. My thoughts are with other friends and family of Paul.
Comment by George — July 14, 2008 @ 6:47 pm
Update 8-9-08
Here is the latest:
Another show has been added so that other bands or members of bands from the era of Pauly’s super happy fun time can share in reuniting for memorial. Saturday 16Th show at Buffalo Rose will truly be a “cry-fest” I am sure. Monday 18Th at Herman’s Hideaway will be all about celebrating Paul’s life.
Plans to date:
* Sat August 16Th: Buffalo Rose memorial show. Angellic rage, Corruption, and Horse will be playing short sets. Video vigil will be presented and old friends will meet again after to many years apart. All will be video taped and believe we have found a way to do a live we cast of the event for those who cannot attend. There is now angellicrage.net that is up and is still being built. A good friend of AR Ron Corvus is graciously working diligently to put this together as you read this. I am also contacting Kntv in Las Vegas in hopes of them sending a reporter here to cover the event. Hoping report will create publicity to aid in finding the bastards that caused this whole thing. Press releases have been put out to hopefully get some local coverage as well.
Scheduled players:
Angellic Rage tribute to Vee band
Bobby Brott - Drums
Rick Trefry - Guitars/Vocals
Alex Clary - Guitars/Vocals
Jimmy Strickler - Bass/Vocals
Mike Crisler - Drums
Miles Marlin - Bass/Vocals
Kevin Martinez - Guitars/Vocals
Pete Snow - Lead Vocals
Ted Fiorino – Lead Voals
Spirit of Paul Vee - Our hearts
Corruption
Mark Obermeyer – Guitars
Mark Grabowski – Bass/Vocals
Kevin Matinez – Guitars
Nick Studen – Drums
Horse
Uncle Nasty – Vocals
Donnie Crisp – Guitars
Doug Tacket – Bass
Steve Patt – Drums
* Sun August 17Th: Some kind of private vigil for Paul will be held somewhere in Colorado. Probably early evening as I am sure we will all be a bit under the weather in morning. Kevin Martinez is remixing last recording of He and Paul doing an acoustic song that none of us have ever heard that is in a completely unique style that not heard from Paul. We will play this at the vigil this night. This event is obviously for those who were truly close to our beloved Paul. We Definitely want video of this to share with ourselves and anyone who wants to know how much he meant to us. Any help with cam would be very appreciated. Also previously believed we would have Paul’s ashes to spread though they have been requested returned to Indiana by remaining relatives.
* Mon August 18Th: Herman’s Hideaway “friends of Paul Vee show”. This one is the after cry “Lets party” event. Celebration of Paul’s life time. Bands including members that are friends of Paul’s will be playing this show. .
Assault
Brad Boatright - Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar
Doug Brown - Drums
Jeff Grey - Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar
Philo (Phil Sudberry) - Lead Guitar
Rich Ross - Bass Guitar
Old man STU
Julian Anderson - Guitar
Matt Davis - Bass
John Bussey – Drums
-John Dog and Chris Chamberlyne from Dogs Of Pleasure will be joining for couple of classics.
Hippie Wherewolves
Haylar Garcia – Vocals
Bryan Dennis – Guitar
John Scott – Guitar
Danni Harrison – Bass
EJ Worden – Drums
We are planning to charge a very small cover and accept donations. His Mother is in home and not sure of her status at this point. I believe it is his Aunt that requested Paul’s ashes returned to his birthplace. She has every right to do so though would have liked us all to have a chance to say goodbye. Most of what Paul left behind was his true friends and fans. A benefit of sort is absolutely inappropriate. This is just my opinion, many more to consider: Would like to use donations to help pay for expenses of loved ones and band members that need to travel here from out of state. I am planning and have accommodations for most of my band mates and friends travelling if needed. This obviously is not a money driven gig. Any leftover funds we would like to use to create some kind of memorial for our lost brother or maybe a reward for info on killer. We will also have really cool shirts with Pauls name in Angellic logo style that wil be available at 16th show. These proceeds will go to this as well. Absolutely NOONE will benefit from this financially! I can’t make that clear enough. This is about our friends showing Paully how much he truly meant to us and this place we call home. Welcome home buddy! Dammit! Crying again…. Stop laughing at me!
Jimmy
Comment by James Strickler — August 9, 2008 @ 5:09 pm