In a Las Vegas courtroom Thursday, 46-year-old Kenwonn Montgomery pleaded not guilty in the killing of a downtown pedestrian, a stabbing that was captured on video and later circulated online. Montgomery waived his right to a speedy trial and is scheduled to return to court on March 24. Police say the deadly encounter followed an erratic outburst in which Montgomery allegedly threatened relatives before turning on a stranger in the street.
According to News 3 LV, Montgomery entered the not-guilty plea during a brief appearance, where he also formally waived his speedy-trial rights. The outlet reports he is facing murder and assault charges in the case, and that the judge set March 24 as the date for his next hearing.
Per the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, officers responded on Dec. 18, 2025, after a flurry of 911 calls about a man chasing people with a knife near H Street and Owens Avenue. Metro says officers arrived to find bystanders holding a suspect on the ground and a man lying in the roadway with stab wounds. That victim was taken to a local hospital and later pronounced dead. Montgomery was booked on an open murder count and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, according to Metro.
Court and arrest records reviewed by the Las Vegas Review-Journal state that Montgomery told officers he had smoked a “sherm,” described as a PCP-laced cigarette, before the incident. The records say he first swung a knife at his mother, then chased his brother down the street. Witness accounts and the report indicate Montgomery then turned on an unrelated pedestrian, 53-year-old Joseph Kirkling, ran him down and stabbed him multiple times. The Review-Journal notes that video of the attack circulated online and was used by investigators.
Relatives of the victim have been vocal in their anger and grief. Kirkling’s brother told 8 News Now, “This was murder,” as reported by 8 News Now, and family members launched a fundraiser following his death. The killing rattled many locals, fueling outrage over seemingly random street violence and renewed calls for stronger community safety measures.
Legal Proceedings And What An Open Murder Charge Means
Montgomery is charged with open murder, a broad homicide allegation that Nevada prosecutors commonly use so they can later pursue first-degree murder, second-degree murder, or lesser manslaughter counts depending on how the evidence develops, along with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, according to court filings and reporting. For background on how open murder informations work in Nevada, see an overview by Nevada defense attorneys. By waiving his right to a speedy trial, Montgomery gives his defense team more time to prepare, while the court handles pretrial motions ahead of the next hearing.
Montgomery remains in custody while the case moves through Clark County courts, with his next appearance set for March 24. Metro’s statement urges anyone with additional information to contact the LVMPD Homicide Section or Crime Stoppers. Beyond Metro’s press release and the court paperwork, officials have largely kept public comment to a minimum as investigators continue their work.
