The Antelope Valley Times

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Man shot to death in Palmdale Tuesday, roommate arrested for manslaughter

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PALMDALE – A 21-year-old Hispanic man was shot and killed Tuesday night at the Parkwood Patio apartment complex in the 38000 block of 20th street east in Palmdale.

The man has been identified as James Fitzgerald McElroy, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

Deputies have arrested the man’s roommate Nicholas Harper, 23, on suspicion of manslaughter, according to Lieutenant Mary Leef of the Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau.

Leef said deputies from the Palmdale Station responded to the apartment complex around 8:50 p.m. Tuesday night after receiving a call about gunshots coming from a residence.

Leef said McElroy was discovered at the location with a gunshot wound to the upper torso.

He was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead at 9:44 p.m., according to Coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter.

McElroy’s roommate, Nicholas Harper, was arrested at the residence and a firearm believed to be used in the shooting was recovered from the residence, according to Leef.

Leef said detectives are still investigating the motive for the shooting.

34 comments for "Man shot to death in Palmdale Tuesday, roommate arrested for manslaughter"

  1. First off this is directed to the Unknown who posted a comment who doesn’t want to be known because they know they are wrong for what they are saying… As far as threatening no one has threaten anyone on Nick’s side… We are far to mature for nonsense like that, we want justice to be served… And as far as you stating that James is a gang banger I really can vouch for him and say that I spent a lot of time with him and never was gang banging on his mind… That’s how I know that you, the person who want to stay Unknown is lying and don’t know squat… James isn’t perfect and no one is saying he is, he had his flaws as well but to down talk his memory of him and say he was a bad person your wrong… You say Nick was a good person wow who are you, you obviously don’t know nothing… The family is tired of all the things being said we just want to mourn peacefully without the outsiders having their opinion and formulating things in there mind… I can only pray that God will bring light to the situation and forgive Nick for what he has done… Nick took someone special from all of us and for anyone to say anything I’ll pray that God help you guys… Nick will still be able to see his kids whether its behind a glass or whatever but Bella (James’s daughter) will never understand why her father can’t see her or speak to her again… You want to talk about character and how both men were, it doesn’t matter what you guys say James he will always be a good man in our book because he was… It just hurts the family to read stuff like that when you can’t even say who you are… We obviously know your Nick’s friend of whatever you are… You forgot to mention how Nick beat his baby momma and the reason James did move in is because Nick was scandalous and taking Lucy’s money so she left… Nick did nothing with his self but place a dent in the couch with his friends… He was about to be evicted and James was the only one with money to cover his ass like always… Just like when Nick owed a person who I won’t say there name but James paid his debt off so that they wouldn’t come looking for him… The messed up part of the whole situation is that James did care about Nick a lot, to want to pay his rent and help him out… Any time Nick didn’t have a place to go guess who opened up there home to Nick… James no one else not even his own dad… And your right things are left in God’s hands and things will come out…

    • FUNNY HOW YOU WANNA THROW NICK’S DIRT OUT THERE,BUT YOU WON’T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT JAMES BEATING THE MOTHER OF CHILD!!!! I THINK IT’S TIME TO POST A FEW POLICE REPORTS ABOUT JAMES,THEN LET’S SEE WHO IS SPEAKING THE TRUTH!

  2. the thing’s both family and friends, of both side’s of the family’s are saying its sad yes james family is hurting but if people new what kind of threats james family was making tourds nicks family his kids his parent saying thei going to make nick suffer like they are ect. is that okay no it isn’t james and nick were best friends more like brother’s why dont you people start telling the truth james was a gang banger nick isnt perfect either they both had gun’s in the house if those of you in james family really though nick was so bad and though for one second that nick and james were having problem’s why didnt you do something before this why are you telling you lie’s now dont try to make james out to being perfect because no one’s saying nick is when nick’s only brother passed away a part of nick passed with him and the james became like nicks brother, and for those of you saying nick wasn’t with his baby momma stop your rumors cause their still together with another baby on the way nick was not perfect but he was a changed man a good father and a good man to his baby momma as with every relationship they had their problem’s but they always worked them out, tell the good and bad about both men who are you people any ways the only one with the power to jugde in god and none of you look like him so knock it off stop with the hate and stop with your lie’s and last but not lease stop with your threat’s. give it to god the truth with show its self.

  3. This is a sad case nd happends far too often in our world.This is sad for both families nd friends.Especially the parents nd there kids..James is in a better place i believe nd i find comfort in knowing that…we have all lost loved ones.we cannot be the judge..every one is hurting.James’s family is hurting nd prayers go out to them..Nicks family is also hurting..nick has not had the easiest life.he lost his mother at a young age nd his only brother nd now his best friend..he has to live with this the rest of his life nd i think that is punishment enough..both families are suffering people.nd if any of u have a heart wich i know u do,u would really think about things u r saying..remember that Jame’s girl will read this one day nd Nick’s kids will too.this will never go away.so think before u voice ur opinion.prayers go out to both families

  4. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHAT THE MOTHER OF CHILD HAS TO SAY…..SPEAK UP SAM!!!!! TELL THESE PEOPLE WHAT KIND OF GUY HE REALLY WAS,BE HONEST! I’M NOT TRYING TO THROW DIRT ON THIS GUY. THE TRUTH HURTS,AND THAT’S WHY SO MANY GET UPSET!

    • Hahaha im so happy Nick is facing two consecutive life terms because his stories are not matching up with the evidence found frm the autopsy! Thank god for that! Nd Sam has been there evry step of the way regardless of what ups nd downs they had she loved him very much nd he loved her nd his daughter. Sounds like Chicano may have been a bit of a hater nd yes my nephew did have a job nd when he wasnt working he had a hustle believe that!!! Relationships are not always perfeCt everyone knows that. CONTINUE BEING IGNORANT THO CUZ WERE ALL SMILING :) JUSTICE FOR JAMES!!!ND IF JAMES WAS HERE UR ASS PROBABLY WOULD HAVE NEVER FACED HIM ND TOLD HIM THAT TO HIS FACE PUSSY.

      • O.k……I never got the chance to say stuff to his face cause,that over grown roach must have had jack rabbit in his blood as fast as he was always running!!!! We all know the only person he ever beat up was the mother of his child,ain’t that rite SAMANTHA!!!

        • You know what Chicano (Blaze), stop talkin about my brother, he”s more handsome then youll ever be…. And your only doing this cause you like Sam..

          • Seriously…..she’s a 4/10!!!!! We just wanna hear what she has to say about that DEAD BEAT DAD,you so proudly call your brother! Sounds like you might be jealous of her!!!

  5. I didn’t know him personally but my God people you should be ashamed of yourselves talking all this [removed]…you need to remember someone lost their son, brother, father…he was a person and I’m sure was loved by his family…have some respect….or is that how your mother raised you ignorant?
    My thoughts and prayers go out to the family

  6. Chicano i agree! Why is it when someone is murdered everyone specially the parents always say “he was a good son, he was no a gang banger” ect… They never say the bad things like he smoked pot he talked back he didnt have a job ect… People need to be honest if they want justice! Lets ask the mother of his daughter how she was treated by James, lets ask Sam how he talked to her and why they broke up? Her parents have always helped her with Izabella and always will. She will have there support for ever!

  7. There were two guns at the apartment, its clear that both guys were up to no good. Both guys have kids and are not with there babys moms. There must be a good reason for that! People keep in mind that there is ALWAYS two sides to every story! I dont feel bad for the parents of these guys i feel bad for the children left behind!! What will Sam tell her daughter when she is older? Izabellas life will not be like every other childs, she will wonder for the rest of her life how different it could of been if her dad was still alive! No one here is to blame but James he should of been a real man and distanced himself from people like Nick!

    • I don’t know where you’re getting your info. from but you need to stop let him rest in peace cause everything is going to come to the light and you’re gonna feel retarded…

  8. Rip James..didn’t know him for a long time but the time I did know him
    He was very goofy and nice

    As for nick on the other hand…smh…he stoles 5$ from me one time

  9. James was never no gang banger he always said gangs were for suckers. He was a young man that took care of his daughter his main priority was his family. Nd for those of u who are talking dnt know shit!!!!! We loss a good one nd u guys will not understand until you lose someone that close.

  12. I don’t personally know either one, but good friends are connected to James and his family. I have heard about how much pain they are all in and the shock of it being his bestfriend/ roommate. I have read the above posts about how you think that your friend or family member[Nick] wouldn’t do something like this. I know it is also hard on you and his family. BUT the fact is that he did do it and now James’ family and friends are left with pain, and thousands of questions. The main one, why? Why would you take that step, towards any wepon, any reckless action that could destroy so many lives…
    This is a very tragic situation for all involved. Everyone loses, especially Ames’ Family,because even though Nick will be behind bars, he is alive, he is breathing, and his Loved ones can still hear him say, “I love you.”
    James’ Mother, sisters, family and especially his Little Izabella will never hear those words again.
    Special moments, memories and a father’s love is what she will never have with him andthat is Heartbreaking!!
    For James’ family andfriends, I am sorry for your loss, and I am praying for you.

      • Chicano,
        You can make your comments, and say what you want, but don’t be disrespectful, because no one wants to hear that. Have respect for everyone including yourself!!
        Thanks!!

        • This guy had no respect for his daughter or the mother of his daughter….I know !!!!! The stuff people are saying about him might be true,but don’t try point out the good stuff without the bad!

          • Chicano i agree! Why is it when someone is murdered everyone specially the parents always say “he was a good son, he was no a gang banger” ect… They never say the bad things like he smoked pot he talked back he didnt have a job ect… People need to be honest if they want justice! Lets ask the mother of his daughter how she was treated by James, lets ask Sam how he talked to her and why they broke up? Her parents have always helped her with Izabella and always will. She will have there support for ever!

  13. This is such a horrible trajedy & very senseless… no matter what… James’s death affected many so many lives… You have a mother that has lost her only son… You have sisters that have lost their only brother…and numerous friends & relatives that can no longer enjoy his company… But most of all you have his 2 1/2 year old beautiful daughter Izabella that can no longer see, speak, hug, kiss or cry for her father.., no ones deserves to die this way… RIP James… may you sleep with the angels…

  14. I have known Nick for many years and he would never do this! If it was an accident I believe that; accidents DO HAPPEN! But I also heard that there was someone else there at the time of the shooting. My prayers are with you Nick for the truth to come out and for James and his family for comfort and peace.

    • You idiots are ALL the same. “He would never do this” .. “My son is a good kid”. What would you say if Nick confessed to shooting his friend, say, after a heated argument? EVERYONE is capable of ANYTHING given the right circumstances. It’s science… just add a catalyst and watch things blow up.

  15. It was an accident! It had to be they were friends for many years.He would never do it!RIP James and I pray for your family as well as nicholas and his family.

    • accident my ass! you dont just accidently shoot and kill someone! nicks family still has him even though he will be in jail they can still see him! My family does not have that. they dont get to see James anymore, or will his daughter! so my prayers are with my family!

  16. Its so sad that there is so much more to life and what God has for us! Good kids and young adults choosing the wrong path :( Drugs and gangs will never take u to the place Gods wants u!!! Keep our youth in this valley in PRAYER GOD BLESS :)

  17. This must have been the deputies fault, right?

    Maybe we need a “Community Oversight Committee” to evaluate what is happening in our community by its’ own residents. Then they can handle the criminals who shoot guns in their houses, the wanted Inglewood gang members trolling the Lancaster streets late at night, the old white guys who sell meth from their AV homes, and the roommate who shoot his counterpart. LULAC, TCAL, AVHRC, where you at?

    I think I’ll still rely on the Sheriffs when I need help.