Do you know what happened to Robert Hollimon?
Robert Hollimon, known to his friends and family as “Joey,” was a 48-year-old African-American man living in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was the son of Wynonia Hollimon, a retired Clark County deputy land appraiser who had passed away in 2005. Those who knew him remembered him by his warm nickname, a testament to the relationships he built in his community. His life was abruptly and brutally cut short in the final days of February 2016, leaving behind a legacy of unanswered questions and a search for justice that continues to this day.
On the night of Monday, February 29, 2016, Joey confided in his friends that he had been attacked. He told them that around 11 p.m., two men had jumped him in downtown Las Vegas. The violent encounter began near the parking garage of the El Cortez Hotel and Casino, a historic establishment on Fremont Street. From there, the assault spilled into the surrounding area, continuing with savage force in the alley behind a 7-Eleven located at the intersection of Fremont and 15th Street. The beating was severe, leaving Joey with a significant head injury.
In the aftermath of the attack, Joey was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center for treatment. Despite the efforts of medical staff, his condition was grave. The head trauma he sustained proved to be catastrophic. Two days after the assault, on March 2, 2016, Robert "Joey" Hollimon succumbed to his injuries. Doctors declared him brain-dead, and his death was officially classified as a homicide.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Homicide Section immediately launched an investigation into Joey's death. Detectives began piecing together the events of that night based on the account he had given to his friends before he died. This crucial information provided investigators with their most significant lead: the identity of one of the alleged attackers. Joey had told his friends that one of the men who assaulted him went by the moniker “Dugga.”
Based on witness and friend statements, police were able to develop a detailed description of this person of interest. "Dugga" was described as a tall, light-skinned Black male, approximately 6-foot-3 with a thin build. He had long dreadlocks that reached the middle of his back and was believed to be around 36 years old at the time. Witnesses also noted that he spoke with a heavy New York accent. Investigators received information suggesting he might have lived in or frequented the area of Sierra Vista Drive and Cambridge Street in Las Vegas. The identity of the second man involved in the attack remains unknown.
Despite the specific description of "Dugga," the investigation has been met with challenges. In the years since Joey's murder, no arrests have been publicly announced, and no suspects have been officially named or charged. The case has grown cold, but it has not been closed. Detectives at the LVMPD continue to seek new information that could break the silence and lead to a resolution for Joey and his loved ones.
As of the latest updates, Robert Hollimon's murder remains an open and unsolved case. The motive for the brutal beating has never been established. Police have not released information about what, if anything, was taken from him during the assault. The fundamental questions of why Joey was targeted and who is responsible for his death persist. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department urges anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. Individuals can contact the LVMPD Homicide Section directly at (702) 828-3521 to help bring closure to a case that has left a community waiting for justice for over a decade.
