Man shot by Las Vegas officer had beaten wife, officials say

The man who police fatally shot on Saturday afternoon was suicidal and had beaten his wife for days, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

Officer Larry Jones, 26, shot Robert Fanello, 68, Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren said in a news briefing on Tuesday. Fanello was taken to University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Fanello called the suicide hotline on Saturday afternoon, saying he had a loaded gun and threatening to shoot himself, Koren said.

Metro responded to a call for service at 1:52 p.m. from the suicide operator, who said that Fanello was not willing to put the gun down and that his wife was in the garage with him, Koren said.

When they arrived in the area, the 6100 block of Allen Cove Court, officers heard a gunshot coming from inside a home.

Fanello told the suicide operator he had fired the shot, Koren said.

When Jones saw Fanello raise his gun at the other officers attempting to speak to him, the officer fired one round at Fanello, according to Koren. Fanello was then taken into custody and transferred to UMC.

Koren said Fanello had been beating his wife for days and had not slept. The woman, who Koren said was “severely beaten,” was in the hospital recovering as of Tuesday afternoon.

Fanello would have been arrested on suspicion of one count of domestic violence with substantial bodily harm for a victim over 60, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer and one count discharging a firearm where a person may be in danger, Koren said.

Jones has worked for the department since 2019 and has been placed on routine paid administrative leave “pending the review of (the) incident.”

“These events are always tragic,” Koren said.

It was the second police shooting in Metro’s jurisdiction this year, the department said. At this time in 2024, Koren said the department had three police shootings.

If you’re thinking about suicide, or are worried about a friend or loved one, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting the Lifeline network at 988. Live chat is available at 988lifeline.org. Additionally, the Crisis Text Line is a free, national service available 24/7. Text HOME to 741741.

Contact Akiya Dillon at adillon@reviewjournal.com.