77-year-old arrested after allegedly raising gun toward Metro officer

Sun Staff

Friday, July 29, 2005 | 9:43 a.m.

A Metro Police officer on Thursday fired shots at a man who allegedly raised a gun toward the officers at the suspect's house. Although multiple shots were fired, the officer did not hit the suspect, according to a Metro press release.

The suspect, William Kurt, 77, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer and was booked into the Clark County Detention Center.

Family members said Kurt's wife had recently died and he had expressed suicidal thoughts, according to Metro.

The family members called Metro about 9:45 a.m. to raise concerns about Kurt. Police arrived at Kurt's residence in the 1100 block of South 15th Street to check on his welfare but could not gain entry into the house.

The officers broke into the house after several failed attempts to gain entry, according to Metro.

Police said they encountered Kurt, who was holding a gun, when they entered the house. They said he raised the gun, and one officer fired multiple shots but did not hit anyone.

There is no evidence that Kurt fired at an officer, according to Metro.

The name of the officer involved in the shooting will be withheld for 48 hours, as is standard in a police-involved shooting.