Nick Davi, born in 1977, was a devoted family man and a respected Pastor of Operations at Grace Point Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. After graduating with a degree in marine science and biology, he worked at aquariums before settling in Las Vegas with his wife, Sarah, and their two young children, Olivia and Michael, following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. They found a home in the quiet, gated community of Courts at Aliante.

Known within his church community as kind, helpful, funny, and a dedicated husband and father, Nick was seen as an exemplary figure. His neighbors, however, included Joe Junio, a 36-year-old Filipina immigrant from Cebu. Junio had built a successful life in Las Vegas since arriving in the U.S.

With a degree in Restaurant Management, she became a licensed real estate agent in 2017, an insurance agent in 2018, and even opened her own spray tanning business, Mystica Spray Tan LV, in 2020, alongside other online ventures and reportedly working as a taxi driver. Her success allowed her to own a townhouse in the same Courts at Aliante community as the Davi family.

Despite the neighborhood’s reputation for tranquility, tensions simmered between the Davi family and Junio. According to court documents and statements from Sarah Davi, the conflict began when Pastor Nick reported Junio to the homeowners association (HOA) for violating community rules. The specific complaints centered on noise emanating from Junio’s property, allegedly caused by pet chickens and dogs.

HOA rules strictly prohibited keeping chickens in the community. When the HOA informed Junio of the complaints, she reportedly became hostile towards the Davi family. Sarah Davi stated that they began to fear Junio due to escalating harassment. Weeks before the fatal incident, the Davi family filed a police report against Junio.

They alleged she was throwing rocks and dog feces onto their property. During one confrontation where they caught her in the act, Sarah claimed Junio made a chilling throat-slitting gesture towards them. It appears no arrests were made at that time, though the incident was likely documented. Feeling unsafe, the Davi family decided to move.

Tragically, they never got the chance. On December 29, 2023, as the Davi family was leaving their home in their car, Joe Junio arrived back at her adjacent apartment. Instead of pulling into her garage, she allegedly blocked the Davi family’s vehicle with her own car. Pastor Nick got out of his car and walked towards Junio’s vehicle to ask what the problem was.

What happened next was captured in a horrifying video recorded by one of Nick Davi’s children from inside their car. Junio exited her vehicle, allegedly already holding a handgun. Without warning, she fired, striking Pastor Nick in the abdomen. As he collapsed, Junio reportedly turned the weapon towards Sarah.

In a desperate struggle, Sarah managed to disarm Junio, who then fled back into her own home. Nick and Sarah were rushed to the University Medical Center. Despite emergency efforts, Pastor Nick Davi succumbed to his gunshot wound. Sarah sustained injuries but survived.

Police swiftly arrested Joe Junio. The video recorded by the Davi child provided critical evidence. Investigators discovered the handgun used was not registered to Junio, and she did not possess a license to carry it. She was charged with ending a life with a deadly weapon, attempted taking of a life with a deadly weapon, child abuse/neglect (due to the children witnessing the event), and discharging a firearm where persons may be endangered.

At her preliminary hearing on January 8, 2024, Junio pleaded not guilty. The judge set bail at $300,000. The incident sent shockwaves through the community, with immense outpouring of support for the grieving Davi family. A GoFundMe was established to help Sarah raise her two children.

Conversely, Joe Junio faced intense public backlash online, with her social media pages flooded with condemnation. While some speculated about potential provocations from the pastor, the overwhelming sentiment was outrage over the violent escalation of a neighborhood dispute. As of the latest reports, Joe Junio remains incarcerated at the Clark County Detention Center, awaiting further court proceedings. Sarah Davi has also filed a civil lawsuit against Junio, seeking damages for the wrongful taking of her husband’s life.