Las Vegas man shot on I-15; son behind murder for hire

Las Vegas man shot on I-15

Robert Bessey, the Las Vegas man shot on I-15, survived being shot in the head and is recovering.

Bessey was driving along on southbound I-15 on Wednesday, at approximately 4:30 am, near the Valley of Fire State Park when he says a car pulled right next to him.

Next thing Bessey knows, his window shattered and he discovered that he had been shot in the head.

He was able to place a 911 call, after being shot, for help.

He underwent surgery and, amazingly, has already been released.

Apparently, Robert Bessey provided police with a wealth of information that led to the arrest of his 21-year-old adopted son, Michael Bessey and, Richard Pearson, 39, his own brother-in-law.

The elder Bessey was getting divorced from his wife, Amy, and he reported that she said he was worth more, “dead, than alive”,  according to Fox 5 Vegas.

She was likely referring to the $250,000 life insurance policy that would expire once the divorce went through.

Michael Bessey and Richard Pearson (photo: Fox 5 Vegas/LVMPD)

Michael Bessey, was reportedly not too happy about the impending divorce.  He was dishonorably discharged from the Army, and had talked about the, still unsolved, murder of NASCAR driver, Chris Trickle, saying that is was perfect crime.

Trickle was another Las Vegas man shot on I-15.

On February 9, 1997,  Trickle left his home in Las Vegas at approximately  9pm to go play tennis with a friend .  As he drove over the freeway, a car pulled up next to his car and opened fire, hitting him in the head.

Michael Bessey was arrested and charged with attempted murder with a deadly weapon, battery and unlawful use of force.

Pearson is still on the loose.  He is currently on parole for grand larceny, possession of a stolen vehicle, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.

So far, there is no word on Amy Bessey’s involvement in the murder plot to kill her husband.

If you have any information on the crime, please contact call CrimeStoppers at (702) 385-5555 or, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can visit www.crimestoppersofnv.com

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