Officers fatally shoot man wanted in Clark County burglaries

Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008 | 9:38 a.m.

Beyond the Sun

Nevada Department of Public Safety

A man suspected of committing home burglaries in Clark County was shot to death by officers Tuesday afternoon in Hawthorne.

The Nevada Department of Public Safety said the man, whose name wasn't being released pending notification of family, was under investigation by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies for crimes that included burglary and stolen weapons.

Authorities said the man committed four home burglaries in Mesquite, about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas, then left the area in a stolen 2005 Cadillac. The vehicle then was spotted traveling on Highway 95 east of Hawthorne, investigators said.

The man stopped at one point after a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper pursued his vehicle, then he fled and drove into the town of Hawthorne, which is about 310 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Authorities said the man likely abandoned the stolen vehicle in Hawthorne, but was found with help from citizens and the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office.

The Nevada Department of Public Safety said the man failed to comply with orders to surrender and give up his weapon. An unknown number of shots were fired at the man by at least one member of the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office at about 3 p.m. Tuesday.

No officers were shot or injured. The officers involved in the shooting weren't being identified while the case remains under investigation.

The mas was taken to Mount Grant General Hospital in Hawthorne, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy by the Washoe County Coroner's Office indicated he died as a result of gunshot wounds.

The Nevada Department of Public Safety's Investigation Division is investigating the shooting at the request of Mineral County authorities.