NLV officer shoots 18-year-old man

Afsha Bawany

Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2003 | 11:09 a.m.

An 18-year-old man was in critical condition this morning after being shot by a North Las Vegas police officer.

Police said they first arrived at the Judith Villas apartment complex, in the 700 block of East Nelson Street, about 12:15 a.m. after receiving numerous calls about a shooting. The officers stayed 15 to 20 minutes but did not hear or see anything suspicious, North Las Vegas Police spokesman Justin Roberts said.

Police returned to the complex at 1:55 a.m after many 911 calls about shots being fired, and the first six police officers to arrive heard two different sets of gunshots, Roberts said. People were running in various directions and, while officers were trying to get control of the scene, two people came up behind one of the officers, Roberts said.

When the officer ordered them to put their hands up, the 18-year-old made a move that made the officer believe he was in jeopardy. The officer shot the teen, Roberts said.

The teen, whose name was not released, was taken to University Medical Center and was in critical condition this morning but is expected to survive, Roberts said.

Police also arrested 19-year-old Michael Harris on charges of firing a gun in one of the apartments. The apartment was occupied at the time of the shooting, police said. Harris remained jailed this morning at North Las Vegas Detention Center in lieu of a $13,000 bond.

The police officer who shot the teen has been with the police department for 7 1/2 years, Roberts said. The officer has been put on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.

A handgun and rifle were confiscated from the scene. Police had not yet determined whether the handgun belonged to the 18-year-old, but it was found near him, police said. The rifle was found in an apartment.

Since June 1 police have responded to the Judith Villas apartment complex 50 times, Roberts said. About half of those calls were related to domestic arguments and fights, six of them were in reference to shots fired, seven were about drug dealing and three were from people who had seen others with guns.

"We are actively working with several of the residents to try to clean up the area," Roberts said.

Roberts added that many community members are working together with police and are concerned about the area.