Las Vegas, NV – A 20-year-old Nevada woman, Allysandra Blea, is facing an open murder charge after police say she shot and killed her boyfriend during a late-night photo session involving firearms.
The victim, 23-year-old Mark Gaughan, was reportedly photographing Blea as she posed with a gun near a vehicle outside a home on Nassau Drive just before 5 a.m. on August 23. Blea called 911 shortly after the shooting, claiming it was an accidental discharge, according to police.
When officers arrived, they found Gaughan lying on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound to the neck. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Photos and Witness Statements Detail the Incident
Homicide detectives recovered Polaroid photos from the scene, showing Blea posing with a black firearm pointed at her own mouth, with her finger on the trigger. Another woman in the photos was seen holding a knife while Blea lay on her lap.
That same woman, a witness to the shooting, told police she saw a flash from the camera, followed by another flash and a gunshot, though she did not see Blea pull the trigger. Her account, captured in a probable cause affidavit, paints a chaotic scene during what was meant to be a stylized photo shoot.
Gun Was Reassembled Before Photoshoot
A fourth person, who had been sleeping in the home, told investigators he had previously worked at a gun store and had unloaded and cleared the firearm earlier in the night. However, Blea and the other woman said that Gaughan reassembled the gun before they began taking photos.
Alarming Online Behavior Revealed
As the investigation progressed, detectives uncovered troubling social media posts from Blea, where she reportedly expressed a fascination with firearms and violent fantasies.
According to police:
She spoke online about building an arsenal and shooting people in the face
Shared photos of herself posing with handguns, rifles, and revolvers
Took photos with guns pressed against her own head, stuffed animals, and bottles
In one post, she allegedly wrote, “I wish I could shoot people with real guns and get away with it.”
These findings led investigators to question whether the shooting was truly accidental.
Court Appearance and Legal Action
Blea made her initial court appearance in Las Vegas on Tuesday, where she was formally charged with open murder—a charge that covers both intentional and unintentional killings.
Her request for bond was denied by the judge, and she remains in custody as the case continues.
Key Details at a Glance
| Name | Allysandra Blea (Suspect) |
|---|---|
| Age | 20 years old |
| Victim | Mark Gaughan, 23 |
| Date of Incident | August 23, 2025 |
| Location | Nassau Drive, Las Vegas, NV |
| Charge | Open murder |
| Weapon | Firearm (type not specified) |
| Motive/Intent | Claimed accidental; investigation ongoing |
| Social Media Findings | Posts showing fascination with guns, violent rhetoric |
What started as a late-night photo shoot between a couple ended in tragedy. Authorities now face the complex task of determining whether this shooting was a tragic accident—or something darker. With disturbing online posts suggesting violent ideation and a well-documented obsession with firearms, Allysandra Blea remains in jail, awaiting further legal proceedings.
