A reckless driver was fatally shot by a Metro Police officer he disobeyed and fought during a traffic stop this morning near downtown Las Vegas, according to Capt. Jamie Prosser.
The suspect ignored orders and fought the officer, who shocked him with a stun gun and subsequently shot him with a handgun, Prosser said.
The incident began when police pulled over a vehicle near 18th Street and Sunrise Avenue, Prosser said. The driver had been speeding and driving recklessly, she said.
The officer, who made the driver exit his vehicle, saw that the suspect was reaching for a “large, bulky item” on his waistband, and ordered him to stop, Prosser. It’s not clear if the item was a gun.
As the suspect disobeyed commands, the officer grabbed him and tried to detain him, Prosser said. That’s when the suspect began to fight.
During the fight, the officer deployed his stun gun, and the suspect went to the ground, Prosser said.
It wasn’t clear if the prongs connected, but Prosser said the electric current sounded off in footage from the officer’s body-worn camera.
Either way, the suspect got on his feet and charged the officer and began to fight him, prompting the officer to shoot him, Prosser said.
The suspect, who hadn’t been publicly identified this afternoon, died at University Medical Center.
Further details were not provided. Metro will identify the officer within 48 hours and provide a detailed briefing early next week.