A Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer, a US Marine Corps veteran, was killed in a shootout with an armed suspect while responding to a report of a man waving a firearm, authorities said. The suspect was also killed in the exchange.The incident unfolded shortly before 4 pm on Tuesday after police received reports of an armed person allegedly waving a gun outside a business in the 4500 block of East Tropicana Avenue. The caller also reported that the man appeared to be intoxicated.Officers, assisted by police drones, located the suspect near Mountain Vista Street and the Interstate 11 underpass.According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the suspect opened fire on the responding officers, prompting at least one officer to return fire.The suspect was declared dead at the scene.During the exchange, a 30-year-old officer was shot and critically injured. He was rushed to University Medical Center, where doctors, nurses, firefighters and emergency medical personnel tried to save his life. He was later pronounced dead.
Marine veteran had served with department since 2023
Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill identified the slain officer as a Marine veteran who had joined the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in November 2023.“He was not only a police officer, he was a Marine veteran, a person who served this country and this community,” McMahill said during a news briefing.The sheriff said he went directly to the hospital to be with the officer’s family before visiting the shooting scene.“As you can imagine, I have lots of grieving police officers and a grieving community,” he said.
Law enforcement agencies pay tribute
A solemn police procession later escorted the fallen officer from University Medical Center as officers from multiple law enforcement agencies gathered to pay their respects.The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department extended its condolences to the officer’s family and pledged to support them in the days ahead.The Nevada State Police also expressed sympathy, saying its thoughts were with the officer’s family, friends and colleagues during the difficult time.Authorities have not yet released the identities of either the officer or the suspect. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
