Inquest called in ‘96 shooting

Keith Paul

Wednesday, May 2, 2001 | 11:21 a.m.

The death of a man who was in a coma for more than five years after he was shot by Metro Police has led to a call for a coroner's inquest.

Miguel Gomez, 49, died March 31 at the North Las Vegas Care Center.

Gomez never regained consciousness after he was wounded during a standoff on Interstate 15 near the Apex exit, where two officers also were shot on Jan. 19, 1996. One of the officers was struck by a bullet fired by another officer.

A coroner's inquest normally is held when someone is killed by an officer. However, Coroner Ron Flud said this is the first time he has called for an inquest when someone died so long after injuries were sustained.

Metro officials requested the inquest, he said.

"The purpose of the inquest is to air the investigation and let the public see it," Undersheriff Richard Winget said.

Four Metro SWAT officers -- Larry Burns, Jerry Montes, Christopher Petko and Troy Wilson -- shot at Gomez, who was hit several times. But only Burns will face the inquest because it was determined he fired the fatal shot, said Lt. Wayne Petersen of Metro's homicide unit.

Burns, now a sergeant and working in the firearms section, and the other three officers, were cleared of any wrongdoing and returned to duty, Petersen said.

The standoff began when Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Antony Skordoulis stopped to help a man with one leg, who was standing on the side of the interstate near a stopped car and holding a sign that read, "need gas."

Skordoulis told Gomez he would take him for gasoline after he made sure the man did not have a weapon. But before Skordoulis could check him for weapons, Gomez pulled out a gun and shot the trooper in the leg, police said.

Skordoulis shot back and radioed for help. Gomez retreated to his car and locked himself inside.

Metro SWAT officers blocked Gomez's car and ordered him to get out of the vehicle. SWAT officers threw tear gas into the car about an hour later. Gomez left the car and shot at the officers several times, police said.

"The officers returned fire, and during the exchange the suspect was hit in the head," Petersen said.

SWAT Officer Paul Dapra was shot under the left arm behind his bullet-resistant vest. He apparently had moved into the line of fire during the shootout, police said at the time of the standoff.

Dapra and Skordoulis recovered, but Gomez remained at University Medical Center until he was moved to the extended care facility in North Las Vegas.

Gomez apparently had been living in Fallon before coming to Las Vegas. He had a conviction in West Virginia for obstructing police and in California for battery on a police officer, Petersen said. Police found Nevada and California identification cards in Gomez's possessions.

An inquest has been scheduled for May 18 to determine whether Gomez's death was justified, excusable or criminal.

Petersen said police could not locate any member of Gomez's family.