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March 28, 2024

Cellphone mistaken for gun in latest officer-involved shooting, Metro reports

Officer-Involved Shooting June 4

Brian Nordli

Metro Police investigate an officer-involved shooting Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at the Oasis Ridge Apartments complex, 3040 E. Charleston Blvd.

Updated Tuesday, June 4, 2013 | 4:23 p.m.

Metro Police video

Oasis Ridge Apartments

An investigation is underway into a Tuesday afternoon incident in which a Metro Police officer shot at — but missed — an unarmed man.

Deputy Chief Al Salinas told reporters this afternoon police had responded shortly after 2 p.m. to the Oasis Ridge Apartments complex, 3040 E. Charleston Blvd., near South Eastern Avenue. An out-of-state parent had called police to report a family member at the complex was suicidal. When police arrived on the scene, the man began tossing baseball- and softball-sized landscaping rocks at the officer and his patrol vehicle. As a backup unit was arriving, the first-arriving officer began to drive around to get at the man from another side.

At this point, Salinas said, the man reached into his pocket and pulled out what officers described as a "dark object" and pointed it at police as if it were a firearm. An officer shot at the man, who fell to the ground. Officers then arrested the man.

The man was not shot and was not injured. The "dark object" turned out to be a cellphone. All told, Salinas said, the entire incident lasted less than five minutes.

As the investigation continues into the officer-involved shooting, Salinas said the man – whose identity had not been released – could be charged with assault with a deadly weapon and battery with a deadly weapon.

Salinas said the officer who fired would be identified, per Metro's policy, within 48 hours.

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