Suspect in stabbing death is critical after officer-involved shooting

By Jackie Valley

Published Monday, April 29, 2013 | 11:41 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, April 30, 2013 | 1:41 a.m.

A man who was wanted for questioning in the weekend stabbing death of a Las Vegas woman was shot during an altercation with Metro Police officers late Monday in the northwest valley.

A concerned resident who claimed to see the suspect, Nathan Benson, 27, near Rainbow Boulevard and Alta Drive, called authorities at 8:40 p.m., Metro Deputy Chief Jim Owens said. Officers set up a perimeter but failed to locate Benson.

Shortly after, another resident called and told police of a place where Benson was known to hang out. Police began to stake out that area and eventually spotted Benson heading southbound on Rainbow from Greyhawk Avenue, when he began to flee, Owens said.

Police caught up just north of Alta Drive and surrounded the suspect, who then charged officers with a knife in hand. Two officers fired at Benson, and he was struck at 9:52 p.m. and taken to University Medical Center's trauma unit in critical condition.

No officers were injured. The two officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

Owens praised alert neighbors for their assistance in locating a suspect deemed dangerous.

"When our citizenry gets involved and helps police ... we all gain," he said.

Shanna Ralston, 44, of Las Vegas, was killed Sunday when she was stabbed during an altercation in the 6300 block of Greyhawk Avenue.