Officers involved in shooting ID’d

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2004 | 10:02 a.m.

The Metro Police officers who shot and killed a man Saturday after he allegedly pointed a gun at police have been identified by the department as Officers Steven Thaxton, a 14-year veteran of the force, and Eric Judkins, who was hired by Metro last year.

The Clark County corner's office today identified the dead man as Mateo Carlo Machella, 30, of Las Vegas.

The officers remain on leave with pay pending a coroner's inquest. A date for that hearing is to be set, police said.

About 10:45 a.m. Saturday a woman had called 911 and told the dispatcher that her ex-boyfriend, Machella, was threatening suicide.

When patrol officers arrived at Machella's apartment in the 1000 block of Dumont Boulevard, Machella was despondent, police said. SWAT officers and crisis negotiators were called to the scene.

Before assistance arrived, officers heard a gunshot. Machella opened his door and exited the apartment, holding a shotgun. The officers fired in self-defense, police said.

It was the fifth officer-involved shooting in Metro Police's jurisdiction this year.

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