DNA samples to be taken in officer shooting case

Kim Smith

Wednesday, June 28, 2000 | 11 a.m.

Authorities got permission this morning to obtain DNA samples from one of the men suspected in the shooting two weeks ago of a Metro Police officer.

Justice of the Peace William Jansen gave the OK after defense attorney David Amesbury said he had no objections to swabs being taken from inside Markus Weatherspoon's mouth.

Weatherspoon was arraigned this morning and a July 14 preliminary hearing date was set.

Weatherspoon, 22, is one of three men police believe robbed a Charleston Boulevard Macayo Vegas restaurant on June 14.

As the three left the restaurant, one of the robbers fired shots at Officer Pete Rossi. One of the bullets hit Rossi's windshield, causing bullet fragments to hit his chin and one eye. There is a possibility he will lose sight in that eye.

Rossi, who has been a Metro officer for three years, was released from University Medical Center June 19.

Weatherspoon was arrested within 17 hours of the robbery and detectives believe they have identified one of two other suspects.

Although he has not yet been charged, that person is in jail on unrelated charges. They are still searching for a third suspect and the person they believe drove the getaway car.

Kimberly Landrum, who police believe rented the getaway car in April, was arrested and charged with embezzlement of a vehicle last week. She was not charged in connection with the robbery or the shooting.

Weatherspoon has past arrests for domestic battery and use of a firearm in the commission of a crime and is wanted in North Las Vegas and Los Angeles on drug-related charges.