Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 | 1:33 p.m.
Steve Wolfson
An investigation into the Henderson Police shooting of an unarmed murder suspect has found the officers acted “reasonably and lawfully,” the Clark County District Attorney’s Office said.
On July 23, police tried to pull over Andy Puente Soto, 42, to arrest him on suspicion of murder, authorities said. He refused to stop, and his car became disabled after he tried to cross a median on Warm Springs Road.
Soto tried to steal an elderly woman’s car as it stopped in front of his disabled vehicle, which was partially blocking the road near the Jokers Wild Casino, police said. Officers directed the woman to lock her doors and drive away, police said.
Officers ordered Soto to surrender, but he refused and “made aggressive, furtive movements suggesting he had a gun” by appearing to reach into his waistband, police said.
Detective David Rowlett and Officer Daniel Medrano shot and killed Soto.
No weapon was found on Soto, who was wanted in connection with the stabbing death of Scott Gerald Harrison on July 4.
“Mr. Soto led the police on a high-speed chase that only ended when his car became disabled, tried to force his way into an elderly citizen’s car once surrounded by police, and refused to show his hands when ordered to,” Clark County District Attorney Steven Wolfson said in a news release.
“He put the public at risk and remained a threat to the safety of the officers and citizens nearby,” Wolfson said.
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