Man shot as officers try and make an arrest

A man shot by Metro Police officers attempting to make a stolen property arrest was a four-time ex-felon, Police Capt. Greg Jolley said during a press conference Friday.

The shooting occurred after two plain-clothes officers went to the Britcher Palms Business Center, 6200 S. Industrial Road, on Thursday following an informant's tip that stolen construction equipment was being sold.

The officers observed Howard Tony DiPietro, 34, of Las Vegas walking through a parking lot. When he attempted to flee the scene, the officers pursued him.

DiPietro, a three-time convicted felon, jumped into a pickup driven by the deceased. Jolley said DiPietro attempted to pull one of the officers into the truck, as it sped away and began slamming into parked vehicles.

Jolley said the officer on the passenger side of the truck was caught between the door of the vehicle and the truck body, and that he feared for his life. The other officer was also attempting to apprehend the driver, while the vehicle was moving.

Both officers fired one shot each, Jolley said, and the driver was struck in the right arm. The bullet passed through his arm and entered his chest, killing him, Jolley said.

As of Friday, Jolley said the police investigation had not determined which officer shot and killed the suspect, whose name hadn't been released.

DiPietro was booked for battery on a police officer and resisting arrest. A third passenger in the truck, Joan Signorello, 23, was booked on a petty larceny warrant. Jolley said she hasn't been charged yet and is believed to have been the girlfriend of the driver.

A rifle was found in the cab of the pickup along with some construction equipment. The vehicle was stolen in April, Jolley said.

The death was the third time an officer has been involved in a fatal shooting this year.

"I can remember when we've gone for months without a shooting," Jolley said. "You can't predict when they will occur. We are always concerned at the number of shootings we have, but we have to investigate them on an individual basis."

Jolley said both police officers have been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.

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