Officer caught in gunfight; no injuries

Thursday, Jan. 24, 2002 | 9:28 a.m.

A North Las Vegas Police officer is on paid administrative leave today after responding to a running gun battle and firing his weapon, police officials said.

No one was hurt during the exchange of gunfire, and police arrested a 16-year-old in connection with the shootout involving two groups.

Gunshots were first reported to dispatchers about 7:45 p.m. in the 400 block of Recco Avenue near Lake Mead Boulevard and Revere Street, police spokesman Lt. Art Redcay said.

"A patrol officer arrived at the scene and heard gunshots," Redcay said. "The officer saw a group of young men running westbound on the south side of the street and saw muzzle flashes that led him to believe that he was being fired at."

The officer fired at the men, who were running away from where he was standing. The officer used his patrol car for cover, Redcay said.

Police recovered two handguns from the scene, and a preliminary investigation points to a gun battle between the groups that spilled over into nearby Valley View Park, police said.

The name of the officer who fired will not be released until 48 hours after the shooting, per department policy.