Posted on: December 10, 2024, 12:13h.
Last updated on: December 10, 2024, 12:48h.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) is investigating the recent deadly shooting of an armed man by an officer at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa.
The man refused to surrender to officers despite extended attempted negotiations, according to news reports and police statements.
Wanted to Die By Suicide
At about 5 p.m. on Sunday, LVMPD officers were alerted that a guest at the South Point Hotel was in a room and showed signs he wanted to die by suicide, according to news reports.
Specially trained SWAT and negotiation officers spent several hours trying to negotiate with the unnamed man, but he refused to leave the room. At one point, he opened the door while holding what was described as a shotgun, according to LVMPD Capt. Kurt McKenzie.
Officers ordered the man to drop the firearm, but he refused and continued to rush toward police. One officer, apparently fearing for his safety, then shot the man.
Officers provided medical assistance until EMTs arrived. The man was declared dead in the hotel.
Had Second Firearm
A search of the man revealed he was armed with a second firearm, according to police.
Prior to police getting called, hotel security guards tried to check if the guest was okay but he didn’t open the door for guards. When they tried to enter the room, they heard what sounded like the “racking of a firearm and backed away” before calling police, according to McKenzie.
Likewise, officers didn’t get a response when they initially tried to get the man to open the door.
McKenzie described the situation, when the man wouldn’t leave his room, as a “barricade.”
Under routine LVMPD procedures in an officer-involved shooting, there will be a review to see if the use of deadly force was justified by the officer.
No officers nor other guests were injured, according to Las Vegas TV station KTNV.
Sunday’s shooting was the 16th officer-involved shooting in the LVMPD jurisdiction so far this year.
Police are likely to provide additional details on the shooting later this week, and are expected to release the name of the officer who fired the lethal shot on Tuesday.
The South Point Hotel is located at the intersection of South Las Vegas Boulevard and West Silverado Ranch Boulevard in Las Vegas.
Following the shooting, South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa issued a statement:
“South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa is fully cooperating with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD).” Media inquiries are being referred to the LVMPD.
