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March 29, 2024

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Police: Security guard in fatal Strip shootout acted in self-defense

Police say it appears a security guard who shot and killed a 35-year-old man Monday on the Las Vegas Strip was acting in self-defense.

Christopher Gene Boudinot died in a shootout at a bus stop in front of the Paris after striking a guard six times, Lt. Ray Steiber said during a news conference this afternoon.

Video from a bus shows Boudinot attempting to board at the stop about 1:30 a.m., police said.

When he was told his bus pass was invalid, Boudinot argued with the driver and an on-board security guard, who is contracted with the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, Steiber said.

Another security guard who had just exited the bus and was waiting at the stop asked Boudinot to get off the bus so it could continue on its route, Steiber said.

Boudinot complied, but after deboarding, he and the second security guard also had a disagreement, Steiber said.

The officer walked away from the argument, and Boudinot entered a cellphone conversation with another individual about the RTC and the officer, Steiber said.

Steiber said witness accounts indicate Boudinot continuously "harassed" the guard, whose name has not been disclosed by Metro.

Boudinot asked for the guard's badge number and told the person on the phone he intended to have the guard fired, Steiber said.

At one point during the exchange, police said, the guard responded by removing his pepper spray from his belt and shaking it.

Boudinot asked if the guard intended to spray him, and the guard said no before putting the spray back in his belt, Steiber said.

The officer then assisted others in the area with bus routes before Boudinot approached him, saying he wanted to apologize, Steiber said.

Police say the security guard then approached Boudinot, who backed away and pulled out a handgun, striking the officer.

Both individuals fired 11 rounds, Steiber said.

Boudinot was pronounced dead on scene after being shot twice, police said.

The security officer was transported to University Medical Center and is currently in critical but stable condition, Steiber said.

Police said Boudinot's gun was legally registered and that he had a concealed carry permit for the weapon.

He has no local arrest record but was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in 2008 in Texas, Steiber said.

Police did not disclose if the officer has a history of using excessive force but said he has about 20 years of security experience.

Steiber said the driver and others believed Boudinot may have been intoxicated, but reports from toxicology exams will take several weeks.

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