Date: October 4, 2024, 11:51h.

Last updated on: October 4, 2024, 11:51h.

A man who wielded a knife and charged at two Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officers was injured in an incident east of the Strip. He later passed away.

The unidentified suspect was outside a business on East Tropicana Avenue when law enforcement arrived. He was described as “agitated” when he lunged at one officer, as reported by Las Vegas TV station KLAS. The officer shot him in response.

The suspect then targeted a second officer, who also opened fire.

The suspect sustained injuries and attempted to flee but collapsed instead.

Died at Hospital

Medical attention was provided to the wounded man by officers, who then transferred him to University Medical Center with the assistance of EMTs. He passed away while at the hospital.

No injuries were reported among the police officers.

The suspect, along with an unidentified woman, were trespassing and had refused to leave the premises. The suspect had menaced employees at the business by entering behind a counter, as per KLAS.

Subsequently, the employees alerted the LVMPD around 10 a.m.

The suspect then moved to a parking lot, where the encounter with law enforcement occurred.

No officers sustained injuries. It is unclear if the woman was taken into custody.

Capt. Kurt McKenzie from the LVMPD Office of Internal Oversight and Constitutional Policing described the incident as happening “very quickly,” according to KLAS.

The officers opted not to deploy a Taser on the suspect.

McKenzie requested any witnesses with photos of the incident to come forward. Additionally, the LVMPD is investigating the shooting to ascertain whether the use of lethal force against the armed suspect was justified.

Officers are allowed to use force only when there is no other effective, safe, and feasible alternative available, and the level of force used should be what a reasonable officer at the scene would employ in similar circumstances,” as stated by the US Department of Justice.

A statement from the police union followed Friday’s incident.

All officers involved are safe and unharmed,” the Las Vegas Police Protective Association stated on Instagram. “The attacker who approached them with a knife did not fare as well.”

Resident Describes Quiet Neighborhood

“I don’t know what led to the officers drawing their firearms and shooting him,” remarked Prince Alidu, a nearby resident who heard the gunshots, speaking to KLAS.

This area is peaceful,” Alidu commented. “The community is usually calm here, so I hope such incidents are not repeated. I feel sympathy.”

Friday’s incident marked the 10th police shooting involving the LVMPD in 2024.