Man killed by police in downtown Las Vegas

Associated Press

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009 | 2:39 p.m.

UPDATED STORY: Police wait to release names in officer-involved shooting

A man has been shot and killed by police in downtown Las Vegas.

Police spokeswoman Barbara Morgan says the man was shot just before 5 a.m. Saturday.

He was not immediately identified.

Morgan says police initially tried to stop the man for jaywalking. She says he refused their commands and pulled out what appeared to be a handgun.

Morgan says the man then kneeled and began to aim the weapon at police, prompting them to fire. He was taken to University Medical Center, where he died.

More than one officer was involved in the shooting. The officers' names were not immediately released per department policy.

Discussion: 25 comments so far…

By WS

2/14/09 at 8:11 p.m.

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Glad the cops weren't hurt. Why would you point a gun at police and expect anything other than to get shot?
By asylum1

2/14/09 at 10:54 p.m.

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Shoot first, ask questions later.
By Lenny_V

2/14/09 at 11:42 p.m.

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I hope there's independent witnesses to back up officers claims that he was pointing a gun at them.
By KillerB

2/15/09 at 11:37 a.m.

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"...pulled out what appeared to be a handgun."

Am I the only one here who notices this report's lack of any details on exactly what weapon the guy actually had??
By Lenny_V

2/15/09 at 2:26 p.m.

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Good point, KillerB. "What appeared to be a handgun" sounds like a statement to cover-up the fact it wasn't actually a handgun, but a comb that he pulled out.

Seems to be a hell of a lot of killing by Metro officers the past few years. The FBI might have to take a look at why every single murder by Metro since the beginning of time has been considered justified by their sham review board.
By NoNevJim

2/15/09 at 4:31 p.m.

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You morons that Monday morning quarterback the police make me sick. Understand this you idiots, the cops have little or no time to make that decision based on actions that the perp takes - some scumbag that has already made up his mind to make his move. The cops have to catch up to his actions. Try that little "action/reaction" exercise with your kids and see who wins. If the "jaywalker" pulls out a black comb or some similar object in a threatening manner I say light the bastard up and go home safe to your family.
By azsk8fan

2/15/09 at 5:01 p.m.

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Do you think the cop should have hesitated and taken the time to see if it was indeed a gun or something else? By that time the Cop could have been shot dead - I'd like to see what you who criticize the cops reaction would do if you were in the same situation and had a gun - would you wait or would you shoot - I know what I'd do (and I don't even like guns).
By spartacus84

2/15/09 at 5:21 p.m.

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Cops have to make a tough, split-second decision, but I hope the jaywalker wasn't pulling out his wallet for his ID.
By KillerB

2/15/09 at 8:01 p.m.

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Right, NoNevJim -- Like you were there either.

If you actually read our comments you'll see we did not speculate, we took this story at face value.

The fact you called this citizen these cops executed a filthy name shows you were not worth even the time it takes to type this.

Looking forward to reading about you pulling a comb out of your pocket next time you're confronted by cops.
By getalife

2/15/09 at 8:39 p.m.

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When the police order someone to freeze, don't move, hands in the air, what does that mean to you?

It doesn't mean fall to the ground and reach for anything.

I love the crew that hates police and posts their idiotic remarks. Next time you need help don't call the police, post your plea on the net.
By KillerB

2/15/09 at 11:51 p.m.

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As someone who has actually had a cop draw down on him I know the score.

I see no comments from this side indicating anything close to cop hatred. And next time I need the help you're referring to, getalife, I'll reach for my Smith & Wesson instead of my Motorola. Been in that situation, too.

What a simpleton.
By MAGSNY1999

2/16/09 at 4:15 a.m.

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Im sure the officers were in the right. They should shoot first and ask questions later. GET YOUR HANDS OUT OF YOUR POCKETS! MOVE SLOW DONT MAKE SUDDEN MOVEMENTS AND YOU WONT GET SHOT!
In this country we need to put people in JAIL that deserves to be there. I am sure this man has a long criminal record. Criminals have too many rights. That is why people cant go out at night! If someone commits a crime worse that robbery throw them in jail for 20-30 years you will see how quickly crime gets off the street. And dont tell me deterance doesnt work bc it does. The problem is most criminals end up beating the rap. Endangering my family, law enfocement, the average citizen.
By johnevegas

2/16/09 at 6:31 a.m.

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"You morons that Monday morning quarterback the police make me sick. "

Your condescending remarks about people who disagree with you and your rampant prejudice against people you know nothing about, makes me sick. Here's to hoping you jaywalk wearing an Ipod someday!
By Wolfdog

2/16/09 at 8:17 a.m.

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Stop a person for jaywalking? No cop has ever stop someone in Steve Wynn's, neighborhood for jaywalking. But if you are poor and down on your luck. You can expect to be harness by the police.
By johnevegas

2/16/09 at 8:38 a.m.

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"You can expect to be harness by the police."

Harness??? Holy crap! I'm never jaywalking again!!!
By JSin

2/16/09 at 8:46 a.m.

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Yep more actions by the blue suit jack boots. BTW Mags those rights you say we have to many of... Well they are in the constitution for a reason. To severely limit police powers. In fact you should do a bit of research concerning the original intent of police. They have far too much power. Regardless of their badge they have no more rights to execute a citizen than your typical citizen. Without those rights, you seem to have so much disdain for, this would not be the United States. I would far rather see 1000 criminals allowed to go free than one innocent man unjustly incarcerated or killed.

For those who cry "Oh the poor cops they have such a tough job" Guess what they chose that career. They are there on their own volition and if they can't handle doing their job without respecting the rights of the populous they need to get out.

Finally my guess is they were wearing their bullet proof long johns. This gives them a great deal of protection and likewise time to act rather than react to a situation.

He might have had a gun... for that matter he might have had a platypus.

They have a body... Why didn't they state he was armed with say a 38. The fact that they have not identified that he was in fact ARMED implies that he was not.

Someone needs to reign the pigs in.

JSin
By cisea

2/16/09 at 9:21 a.m.

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It must have been a real quiet night for the night shift and too much cafine=edgy boredom. Remind me not to go out walking between casinos in the early morning hours in LV.
By afveteran

2/16/09 at 9:56 a.m.

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Complying with policemen's verbal orders is a must in any town, any place, any where, if you don't want to raise their suspicion as to your intentions. They do not know who you are, what you intend to do, or don't intend to do. They have to assume the worst and be prepared to act accordingly, using lethal force if necessary.
These situations happen at a fast pace, and normal conventions do not apply. It's serious stuff. I'm not surprised at the frequency that shootings occur in Las Vegas.
By Greenhorn

2/16/09 at 12:05 p.m.

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Its downtown people. Ever tried walking in the alleys around the courthouse after dark? Lots of shady folks walking around. Good shoot.
By tslennon

2/16/09 at 12:17 p.m.

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Nice going Metro - Kill someone for jaywalking. Also with your fine police training there must not be any other alternatives to apprehend a criminal. No alternatives except executing a person on the spot. You've got the jackboots all you need is the Nazi armbands. Lets make being a policemen require a college education because these morons out there now are obviously not very bright.
By redferret

2/16/09 at 12:20 p.m.

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Not bright?
Not bright is disobeying a verbal order by a cop. Not bright is then fishing something out of your pocket, unbidden, in front of a cop who's now suspicious about you.
Not bright is expecting anything other than what happened to have happened.
Was it stupid he got killed for jaywalking, yeah.
Was it stupid that he jaywalked in front of a cop, yeah.
Should he have just listened to the cop and probably got a warning or a minor ticket, yeah.
So quit the bellyaching and defending of someone who was brick stupid.
By tslennon

2/16/09 at 12:31 p.m.

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Redferret,

Have you ever disobeyed an order by an authority figure such as a teacher, policeman, or a parent? If you have, should you have been killed for it??
By redferret

2/16/09 at 12:51 p.m.

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Um, your argument is pathetic to the nth degree. First teachers and parents do not use deadly force ever. Second, no I haven't. Never been to jail. Been questioned/pulled over before, but nothing's happened. I've even only received one ticket.
You know what I did? This will literally blow your mind. Even when cops are d--ks, I say yes sir/no sir. I'm polite, even tempered, and they respect me for it.
If a cop tells you to do something, you do it. 99 times out of 100, there is absolutely no legal or physical harm in just obeying them on something as stupid as a traffic stop.
By noBS

2/18/09 at 10:05 p.m.

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JSin you are an idiot. Since you seem to know so much about why laws are the way they are, then you should also know that details about the incident cannot be released until the trial takes place. The news will always say "what appeared to be a gun." If they say that the suspect actually had a gun, it would imply too much and make it more difficult to find an impartial jury.

You also seem to be rather ignorant of what protection the police have. A jacket is not full body armor. A wound can be fatal in other areas besides the chest. Regardless, why should they have to wait to actually be shot at before they can shoot? If you are too dumb to put down your weapon, then you deserve what you have coming to you. The police have probably done society a favor. I agree with you on one point though. Someone does need to "reign the pigs in." Then you will get to see what it is like living in a place where criminals run rampant and the streets are crawling with scum. Then maybe people would have a little more respect for those who risk their lives so that yours can be better. You are correct in saying that the police choose their career. They choose it knowing that people like you continually bash and have no respect for them, yet they are the ones to protect you and risk all for the rights you claim to have so much knowledge of. You seem to imply that they do not respect the rights of the general population, when in fact, they are there to make sure that you have the right to live freely without being victimized.

tslennon, obviously the man was not killed for jaywalking, he was killed for pointing a gun at officers (who are also people...would it make you feel better if the man was pointing a gun at a civilian? Would that be more justifiable? People are people). You are obviously not very bright. If someone was pointing a gun at you, how would you stop them? Use a fancy karate chop or dazzle them with your charm? Get real.

I would also like to know why some of you seem to be surprised at the number of shootings involving metro. You clearly have no idea what goes on in the real world. Why do they all come back justified? Because they ARE justifiable. The police aren't going to shoot unless they have good reason to, which they do. Instead of commenting with disdain about the shooting police are doing, you should be pissed about the large number of people doing things to make them shoot. Maybe you should go to the next inquest and actually see what goes on. Regular civilian citizens are the ones who make the decisions on these review boards so if you have a problem, talk to them.
By brandycombs

4/4/09 at 6:39 p.m.

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dear officers and readers,
I knew this kind and sweet and sensitive man, my son is his nephew( who has his uncles sauciness) and his father is his brother(who could have torn me apart with his anguish). I wish those officers could have seen the devastation they caused because they were so "sure" they saw the gun, (conveniently fuzzy cameras?!) and MURDERED him. He was scared and would not have pointed that gun at you. lying for each other. What kind of jerk shoots someone 7 times with a shot gun or a rifle?! These testosterone-driven-lack-of-self-control-wannabee-cowboys! do you know what he was like? do you know what was happening to him? did you know his daughter is so absolutely devastated inside i wouldnt doubt it if she hated everyone in the world! no you head blind officers just assumed. well guess what, your judgment is tainted and wrong. You became a cop for the wrong reason, to be a bigshot tough guy. not one drop of remorse from you. i hope this mans face haunts you for the rest of your days. what if you had a troubled brother that has never harmed except himself that you loved so much that you just prayed to God that he would know you love him and his family loved and be all better, then someone like you comes along and destroyes him so completely hes DEAD DEAD DEAD! you wouldnt understand because you only relate to you. AND HE CAN NEVER COME BACK!!! dead is dead , you did that to him, we hurt so bad for him but your going to pay when you come knocking on heavens door and face your judge. until then we will weep when we remember what was lost and how generous he was. R.I.P. dear Edmund.

from,
Brandy...felix...felix jr...sean...luz vega...jaja...nilnet...cici...juju...ray...bebe...regi...valerie...clary...everyone!

refer toCORONER'S INQUEST: Shooting man called only option
By CARRI GEER THEVENOT
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL 3/28/09
By brandycombs
4/4/09 at 6:26 p.m.
by the way you can say what you think, my email is combsbrandy@excite.com, lawyers,