Vest protected officer in fatal Walmart shooting
A man was killed and an officer was wounded Friday morning in a police shooting at a Walmart in southwest Las Vegas.
The shooting happened after officers responded to a 911 call about
4:30 a.m. at a Walmart SuperCenter at 3615 S. Rainbow Blvd., near Spring Mountain Road.
Las Vegas police homicide Lt. Lew Roberts said patrol officers were investigating a suspicious couple trying to make a large purchase with a fraudulent bank card.
As the three or four officers approached the couple, the man pulled a handgun from his waistband and began firing at them, police said.
One officer was struck multiple times in his left arm and once in his chest. The officer was wearing a bulletproof vest and has been released from the hospital, police said.
Roberts said it was not immediately clear how many officers returned fire, but the man was shot and later died at University Medical Center. His name was not released.
Police announced Friday night the arrest of Carrie Helene Reed, 27, on charges of burglary, attempted theft and fraudulent use of a credit card for more than $100. She is being held on $30,000 bail at the Clark County Detention Center.
Court records show Reed has a record that includes charges of theft and cocaine possession.
Sheriff Doug Gillespie said he visited the officer at UMC on Friday morning and viewed the severe bruise where the bullet struck the vest.
“Thank God he was wearing a bulletproof vest,” Gillespie said. “This should be a reminder to us all that policing is a dangerous job.”
Bulletproof vests are required for all officers hired after July 2008. Other officers are strongly encouraged to wear them.
Outside the Walmart after the shooting, several dozen store employees and customers huddled together in a taped-off area, waiting for police.
One customer, David, told the Review-Journal he saw the couple talking with officers immediately before the shooting. Several moments later, he heard several rapid-fire shots and fled the store.
He described the couple as being in their mid-20s or early 30s. He didn’t sense any tension between the suspects and police before the shooting began.
“If it had been more interesting, I would have stayed and watched,” said David, who declined to give his last name.
“I was trying to buy dog treats and was looking at some magazines.”
Other employees and customers huddled inside the crime tape declined to comment.
Roberts said the investigation would take most of the day because of the large area and the number of witnesses to be interviewed.
“This is a large, dynamic scene,” he said. “The investigation is very preliminary, and there are certain things I can’t answer right now because I don’t know.”
Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.
