Metro Police investigate an officer-involved shooting on Rancho Drive between Jones Boulevard and Craig Road Tuesday, July 11, 2017.
Published Tuesday, July 11, 2017 | 1:41 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, July 11, 2017 | 5:32 p.m.
A man armed with a knife was shot and killed by police Tuesday afternoon after he charged at an officer who was stepping out of his vehicle in the north valley, according to Metro Police.
Detectives are looking to speak to a group of men the suspect tried to attack shortly before the shooting, Metro Sgt. Jeff Clark said. They were in a red or maroon 2001 Chevrolet truck with Oklahoma plate 353FDI.
The suspect suffered multiple wounds from shots fired from a “very close range,” Metro Sgt. Jeff Clark said.
The officer had been dispatched at 1:08 p.m. to a pawnshop in the 4100 block of Rancho Drive, just south of Craig Road, Clark said.
The men in the truck told management at the pawnshop the suspect had approached them in the parking lot and tried to attack them with a knife, Clark said. The driver was able to strike the suspect with a hammer, he added.
If there was a relationship between the men and the suspect it wasn’t immediately known, Clark said.
When the lone officer arrived at the business, a witness pointed out to him the suspect, who was walking north on Rancho, Clark said. The officer told him to stop and he didn’t comply. Again, the officer gave commands, but the suspect did not cooperate, Clark said.
Suddenly, the suspect turned back at the officer and charged toward him, trying to stab him as he exited his cruiser, Clark said. The officer, who captured the shooting on his body-worn camera, fired multiple rounds.
The suspect died at the scene, Clark said. Rancho remained shut down in both directions from Alexander Road to Craig about 5 p.m.
Further information on the incident is expected in the next 72 hours. The suspect will be identified by the Clark County coroner’s office when his family is notified.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 311, or 911 if it’s an emergency. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or crimestoppersofnv.com.
