Friday, April 17, 2009 | 10:05 p.m.
Six Metro Police officers fired a total of 22 shots at a man with two handguns who was threatening his wife, 3-year-old child and himself during a domestic dispute at a northwest Las Vegas home, and a jury today ruled the fatal shooting of 30-year-old John Haines was justified.
Police found Haines armed with two pistols in front of his house at 7712 Golden Talon Ave., near Elkhorn Road and Buffalo Drive, on Feb. 18 about 10:48 p.m.
The man's wife had called police, concerned that he was suicidal. Haines also suffered from bipolar disorder. The couple had been arguing before police were called.
When officers arrived, they tried to talk Haines into putting down the pistols, but instead he started walking toward the front door. Officers said at one moment he pointed the two guns at his head. Police opened fire because they feared that he would harm anyone inside the house, they said during testimony at a coroner's inquest today.
Haines was taken to University Medical Center's Trauma Unit, hit seven times by bullets, and underwent emergency surgery, but did not survive.
The jury deliberated about half an hour before deciding the officers were justified in the shooting.
Officers involved in the shooting included Lt. Randy Sutton, Charon Griswold, Jeremy Landers, Jason Hardwick, Christopher Sjoblom and Marc Ashbock.
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