Says officer talked of being in neighborhood before shooting

Friday, April 11, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Brady has testified before a grand jury that he and his partner, former officer Ronald Mortensen, randomly went to the neighborhood the night of the Dec. 28 shooting to "harass dopers and bangers." Police and prosecutors maintain there is no evidence the pair knew Mendoza.

Mortensen, 31, is charged with murder in connection with the death of 21-year-old Mendoza. Mortensen is awaiting trial and has maintained his innocence.

Brady, 25, has resigned from the Las Vegas Metro Police Department and is not facing charges in the case. Brady told police shortly after the shooting he was driving the truck used in the incident. He said Mortensen was a passenger in the truck and that Mortensen fired shots from the vehicle in the direction of a group of people. Mendoza was killed by a bullet as he stood in front of his apartment.

The police reports are part of federal court documents filed by attorneys representing the police department in a civil lawsuit filed by Mendoza's family.

In the reports, police say officer Raena Grant heard the remarks from Brady during a police briefing two weeks before the Mendoza shooting.

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