Police identify officer who shot suspect

The Las Vegas police officer who shot a robbery suspect in the hip Monday morning has been identified as 39-year-old Leonard Duerden, a spokeswoman said.

The spokeswoman said Duerden, an officer in the canine unit, is a 12-year veteran of the department.

Police said the officer shot Kosol Bolick, 22, as the suspect fled from officers who were pursuing him.

Police were chasing Bolick after a 1:50 a.m. robbery at a Vons store at Desert Inn Road and Eastern Avenue. As Bolick ran through the Winchester Woods apartment complex at 3135 S. Mojave Road, police ordered him to stop.

Police said he failed to respond to the instructions, and Duerden shot him. Officers found a gun in the area they believe was used in the robbery, police said.

Bolick was taken to University Medical Center, where he was in stable condition Wednesday. Police said he is being charged with robbery with a deadly weapon.

According to the department’s manual, "Department members are authorized to discharge their firearm … to prevent the escape of a fleeing felon whom the member has probable cause to believe will pose a significant threat to human life if escape should occur."

A Use of Force Review Board will decide whether the officer complied with department policy.