Woman ‘disgusted’ at being labeled ‘girlfriend’ shoots admirer dead as he takes Polaroids of her
A shocking homicide case out of Las Vegas, Nevada, has drawn national attention after a young woman admitted to fatally shooting a man she considered a friend during what authorities described as a firearm-themed photo session. Prosecutors alleged that the woman became upset and “disgusted” after discovering that the victim referred to her as his girlfriend, despite her insistence that they were not romantically involved.
The case centers on 20-year-old Allysandra Blea and 23-year-old Mark Gaughan, whose relationship became a key focus of the investigation following the fatal shooting in August 2025.
Fatal Shooting During Late-Night Photo Session
According to court records and grand jury testimony, the deadly incident occurred during an unusual late-night gathering where Blea, Gaughan, and friends were taking photographs involving firearms and Halloween-style costumes. Gaughan was reportedly using a Polaroid camera to photograph Blea, who was dressed in camouflage clothing and a bloody corset as part of the themed shoot.
Witness Maverick Crafts told investigators that the group had been posing indoors before deciding to move outside for additional photographs. Crafts recalled that Gaughan announced there were only two photographs remaining in the camera, prompting the group to change locations for the final shots.
According to the witness, he saw the camera flash as Gaughan took a picture. Moments later, another flash appeared, but this time it was accompanied by a loud gunshot. Gaughan and the camera immediately fell to the ground.
Witness Describes Final Moments
Crafts testified that he was watching Gaughan when the shooting occurred and observed the sequence unfold within seconds. He described seeing the Polaroid photograph begin to print before hearing the fatal shot. The witness’s account became a significant part of the prosecution’s case regarding the circumstances surrounding the killing.
Friendship Complicated by Differing Views of the Relationship
Investigators learned that Blea and Gaughan apparently had very different understandings of their relationship.
Grand jury testimony revealed that Blea expressed frustration after hearing that Gaughan referred to her as his girlfriend when speaking to others. According to Crafts, Blea said she did not understand why Gaughan believed they were dating and insisted that she did not have romantic feelings for him.
“Disgusted” by the Girlfriend Label
Crafts told investigators that Blea was particularly disturbed after learning how Gaughan described their relationship. He testified that she was “disgusted” to discover that Gaughan referred to her as his girlfriend.
The witness further claimed that Gaughan believed the two were romantically involved, while Blea allegedly viewed the relationship differently. Crafts described their interactions as more casual and lacking obvious signs of affection, characterizing them as simply spending time together rather than behaving like a traditional couple.
Friend Claims Victim Believed They Were Dating
During testimony, Crafts stated that Gaughan appeared convinced that he and Blea were in a romantic relationship. He suggested that Blea may have been using Gaughan while allowing him to believe they were together. Those statements became part of the broader narrative prosecutors presented regarding possible motives and tensions between the two.
Emergency Response and Discovery of the Victim
The shooting occurred during the early morning hours of August 23, 2025.
According to police, officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to a report of a shooting at approximately 4:47 a.m. in the 1000 block of Nassau Drive. Authorities said Blea herself called 911 and initially reported that the shooting had been accidental.
Victim Found on Sidewalk
When officers arrived, they discovered Gaughan lying on a sidewalk outside the residence. He was suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck. Emergency responders immediately attempted life-saving measures before medical personnel arrived. Despite those efforts, Gaughan died from his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The death transformed what was initially reported as an accidental shooting into a major homicide investigation.
Investigators Examined the Firearm’s Condition
One aspect of the investigation focused on whether the gun involved had been loaded or assembled shortly before the shooting.
A fourth individual who had been asleep in the residence told police he previously worked at a gun store and had personally removed the magazine and cleared the weapon’s chamber earlier that evening. According to investigators, Blea and another woman later suggested that Gaughan reassembled the firearm while they were changing clothes before the photo session resumed.
These details became important as investigators attempted to reconstruct exactly how the weapon became capable of firing the fatal shot.
Prosecutors Point to Fascination With Firearms
During court proceedings, prosecutors highlighted Blea’s alleged interest in guns and firearm-related photography.
Authorities said she frequently posed with weapons for photographs that were later posted online. According to court documents and reports cited by investigators, numerous images showed Blea holding handguns, revolvers, and rifles in various poses.
Social Media Posts Examined
Investigators reportedly reviewed photographs that depicted Blea posing with firearms in unconventional and sometimes provocative ways. According to an arrest affidavit, some images showed weapons positioned against her head, pointed toward stuffed animals, or being used while shooting objects.
Police also cited an online comment allegedly made by Blea in which she wrote that she wished she could shoot people with real guns and get away with it. Prosecutors referenced such material while arguing that firearms played a significant role in her lifestyle and interests.
Defense Response
Defense attorneys reportedly argued that many of the firearm-related photographs and comments represented dark humor rather than evidence of criminal intent. They challenged suggestions that the images alone demonstrated a desire to commit violence.
Plea Agreement Ends Murder Case
Blea was originally facing a murder charge in connection with Gaughan’s death. However, the case ultimately concluded with a negotiated plea agreement.
Guilty Plea Entered
In June 2026, Blea pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and kidnapping. According to prosecutors, she admitted to kidnapping Gaughan for the purpose of causing substantial bodily harm or death and acknowledged responsibility for causing his death without intending to kill him.
The plea deal allowed both sides to avoid a lengthy trial while ensuring a conviction in the case.
Sentencing Still Ahead
Although the guilty plea resolved the question of criminal responsibility, Blea’s punishment remained pending at the time of reporting.
Court records indicated that sentencing was scheduled for July 29, where a judge would determine the penalties associated with the involuntary manslaughter and kidnapping convictions.
A Case That Shocked Las Vegas
The killing attracted widespread attention because of its unusual circumstances. Investigators were faced with a deadly shooting that occurred during a staged photo session involving costumes, firearms, and Polaroid photography. The revelation that tensions over how the victim described his relationship with the defendant may have played a role only intensified public interest in the case.
What began as a late-night gathering among friends ultimately ended with the death of a 23-year-old man, a homicide investigation, and a plea agreement that closed one of Las Vegas’s most unusual criminal cases of recent years.
