Off-duty Las Vegas police officer, 2 others wounded in shooting
An off-duty Las Vegas officer was shot Wednesday night as he tried to de-escalate a confrontation in the northwest valley, but was “in good spirits” Thursday and expected to fully recover, according to police.
Details on the officer’s injuries have not been released. Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Sheriff Tim Kelly said Thursday morning at a news briefing on an officer-involved shooting on Monday in Laughlin that the officer was “in good spirits and is going to recover.”
The officer, who will be identified within 48 hours per Metro protocol, was hospitalized Wednesday evening at University Medical Center.
About 11:30 p.m. at Sunking Street and Dole Avenue, near Gowan Road and North Decatur Boulevard, the off-duty officer approached a group after seeing multiple people surround one person, said Capt. Nichole Splinter. One person in that group drew a weapon and pointed it at the officer, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
Two people in the group were struck in addition to the officer, Metro said, and also were taken to the medical center. Their conditions were not known Thursday morning.
As the officer fell to the ground, three people, including the two injured, ran to a vehicle and sped off but were soon taken into custody near Fourth Street and Ogden Avenue in downtown Las Vegas.
It was not immediately clear whether the shooter was among those detained or what charges, if any, would result from the incident.
The shooting marked the 14th time this year that a Metro officer fired a weapon. Per Metro policy, the officer will be identified within 48 hours and further details will be released within 72 hours.
Wednesday night’s officer-involved shooting was the second this week, after two Metro officers fatally shot an attempted robbery suspect in Laughlin early Monday.
Decatur near Gowan remained closed in both directions early Thursday as detectives continued to investigate. Ogden between Fourth and Casino Center Boulevard reopened around 8:20 a.m.
Anyone with any information may contact Metro at 702-828-8452. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.
Contact Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240. Follow @k_newberg on Twitter. Review-Journal staffers Rio Lacanlale and Marvin Clemons contributed to this report.
