Feud ends in gunfire as pastor kills two in front of his daughter

Neighbors say a long-running dispute between two Las Vegas homeowners began as a complaint over nude hot-tubbing activities.

Police say the neighborhood feud ended Thursday when Andrew Cote, 36, killed his 71-year-old neighbor and her friend with a shotgun, KVVU reported.

Cote’s young daughter was present when Cote shot neighbor Mildred Olivo and her friend Timothy Hanson over a brick divider between their back yards, KLAS reported. Cote told police he “noticed Hanson was still moving and shot him in the head a second time.”

Cote then called 911 to report he’d killed them with a shotgun, KSNV reported.

When police later asked Cote why he didn’t take his daughter inside and call 911 before resorting to gunfire, he told them “words to the effect of ‘not tonight,'” KLAS reported.

Cote also told police he opened fire because he “was in fear,” but no weapons were found on Olivo or Hanson, who had reportedly been shouting at Cote’s daughter, according to the station.

He is listed as the pastor of Iglesia Bautista De Fe Y Amor, an independent Baptist church in Las Vegas, on its website.

Olivo had reportedly sprayed Cote and his daughter with water from a hose earlier in the day, KVVU reported. Cote said he had called police then, but nothing happened.

Family members said Olivo had asked Hanson to come over to protect her from Cote, KLAS reported.

“She didn’t deserve this. She didn’t deserve it,” said Lissette Botello, Olivo’s daughter, KSNV reported.

Neighbors said the long-running dispute began years earlier when Cote complained about Olivo using her hot tub nude, and he eventually built a wall between their yards for more privacy, the Las Vegas Sun reported.

Police said they had been called to the neighborhood multiple times over the years as a result of the feud, according to the publication.

“It’s nitpicking,” Botello said, KSNV reported. “My mom’s too loud or she has too (much) company. It’s something.”

Cote, who is married and has three children, was arrested on suspicion of murder, KVVU reported.   (Text, excluding headline, courtesy Miami Herald)

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