Published on: December 5, 2024, 07:16h.

Last updated on: December 5, 2024, 07:17h.

The individual accused of firing at a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officer during a high-speed pursuit has been formally charged this week.

Jaime Mendoza, aged 54, is facing seven charges related to the incident in North Las Vegas, as well as previous accusations of sexual assault and kidnapping.

The charges include: attempted murder of a first responder, resisting a public officer with a firearm, first-degree kidnapping with a deadly weapon, sexual assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking with a deadly weapon, auto burglary, and evading.

The event unfolded just before 10 p.m. on Friday as officers were investigating a reported sexual assault and kidnapping on North Christy Lane in Nevada’s Sunrise Manor neighborhood, per KTNV, a Las Vegas TV station.

Mendoza reportedly fled the scene in a Toyota RAV4. Police officers located the vehicle shortly after and attempted to intercept it around 10:26 p.m.

Mendoza then accelerated the vehicle at a high speed, managing to evade capture near Owens Avenue and Marion Drive.

Vehicle Collision with Tree

Subsequently, two officers in a patrol car sighted the Toyota near the intersection of Tonapah Avenue and Bruce Street.

The officers initiated a pursuit that ended when the suspect’s vehicle collided with a palm tree and another car on North Las Vegas Boulevard, approximately half a mile from where it was first spotted by police.

After abandoning the Toyota, Mendoza fled on foot, with officers giving chase.

Mendoza allegedly discharged a firearm at one of the officers, prompting the officials to take cover.

Suspect Sustains Injury

One of the officers returned fire, with a total of four shots fired. Mendoza sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg. Despite his injuries, Mendoza managed to escape the scene and elude authorities, according to police.

A manhunt was launched for Mendoza, with law enforcement describing him as “armed and dangerous.” He was eventually apprehended on Linn Lane in Sunrise Manor on Sunday.

Due to his injuries, Mendoza was taken to University Medical Center for treatment before being transferred to Clark County Detention Center. As of Thursday morning, he remains in custody at the detention center.

Mendoza’s case has been handed over to the local prosecutors, and in the event of a conviction, he could face a lengthy prison sentence.

Law enforcement did not disclose specific details regarding the sexual assault and kidnapping charges brought against Mendoza.

Following standard procedures, LVMPD placed the officer involved in the shooting, 33-year-old Marcos Gomez, on paid administrative leave pending a review of the incident to determine the justification for the use of deadly force.

No officers sustained injuries during the shootout on Friday.

This incident marked the 14th officer-involved shooting within LVMPD’s jurisdiction so far this year, as per police reports.