A carjacking suspect who struck a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper and was subsequently killed by officers has been identified as Douglas Joseph Claiborne, 60, according to the Clark County Coroner’s Office.
Claiborne, whose city of residence was unknown, died from gunshot wounds to his head and torso, the coroner’s office said today.
Claiborne was killed midday Tuesday by a volley of bullets fired by officers on southbound lanes of Interstate 15 following a lengthy car pursuit, in which he hit Trooper Micah May, who was trying to deploy stop sticks on the highway, leaving May with life-threatening injuries.
Officials have released little information about the chase and shooting.
It wasn’t clear where the pursuit began, but it led troopers to surface streets in North Las Vegas, where city police officers joined in.
According to radio traffic uploaded online, which captured about 40 minutes of the incident, Claiborne evaded several attempts for officers to deflate the tires of the sedan he was driving.
Near the Sahara Avenue exit, Claiborne hit May, who went through the windshield of the car.
Troopers were able to stop the car before the Spring Mountain Road exit and opened fire for a reason officials haven’t disclosed.
May was flown to UMC in a helicopter operated by Metro Police, who are investigating the shooting.