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March 29, 2024

Metro: Officer injured, suspect killed in shooting after traffic stop

Office-Involved Shooting-July 10, 2015

Christopher DeVargas

Metro Police investigate an officer-involved shooting Friday, July 10, 2015, near Sahara Avenue and Lindell Road.

Updated Friday, July 10, 2015 | 7 p.m.

Officer-involved shooting

Metro Police fatally shot a man today in the western valley after he pulled a gun during a traffic stop, grazing an officer in the neck as they struggled over the weapon, authorities said.

Two officers were driving west on Sahara Avenue about 9:30 a.m. when they stopped a gold Jeep Grand Cherokee for a minor traffic violation just west of Lindell Road in the 5600 block of Sahara, police said.

The driver of the SUV didn't immediately stop, but when he did, he jumped out and yelled at an officer, telling the officer to shoot him, police said.

Police ordered the driver back into the SUV, and the officer approached to speak with the suspect, police said.

During the conversation, which included a discussion of the driver's prior cases, the suspect threatened suicide and grabbed a handgun, police said.

The officer and the suspect struggled over control of the handgun, and extra police units arrived on scene, police said.

During the struggle, the suspect fired a round that grazed the neck of one of the responding officers, police said.

Another officer approached on the passenger side and fatally shot the suspect, who was pronounced dead on scene, police said.

The injured officer's partner, who was not hurt, took him to University Medical Center, Sgt. John Sheahan said.

He was expected to make a full recovery and was released from the hospital by 3 p.m., police said.

Sheahan said the motorist who was killed was alone in the SUV. His name wasn't immediately made public and will be released by the Clark County Coroner's Office once next of kin has been notified.

Sahara was closed in both directions at Lindell, officials said.

This is the fourth Metro Police officer-involved shooting this year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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