Edgar Samaniego makes an initial appearance at the Regional Justice Center Wednesday, June 3, 2020. Samaniego is accused of shooting and critically injuring Metro Police Officer Shay Mikalonis, 29, near Circus Circus Monday night.
Friday, Sept. 18, 2020 | 1:18 p.m.
The man accused of shooting and paralyzing a Las Vegas police officer during a protest in June pleaded not guilty to eight charges in a hearing on Thursday.
Edgar Samaniego, 20, faces charges of attempted murder with a deadly weapon, battery with a deadly weapon, and three counts each of assault with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm within a structure/vehicle within a prohibited area.
Prosecutors say Samaniego shot officer Shay Mikalonis in the head on June 1 as Mikalonis was attempting to disperse protesters.
Samaniego’s attorney said his client fired shots in the air to help police clear the protestors, KXNT-AM reported.
Mikalonis is now paralyzed from the neck down.
Samaniego’s pre-trial hearing is scheduled for December 1 and his trial is scheduled to begin in January 2021.
