Police ID officer who shot man armed with screwdriver

By Mary Manning (contact), Tim Richardson (contact)

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 | 3:09 p.m.

Man shot by officer charged with attempted murder (5-24-2009)

Police have identified the officer who shot a Las Vegas man Saturday evening at a condominium complex in the southwest valley.

The officer involved in the shooting that occurred in the 4800 block of south Torrey Pines Drive has been identified as Officer Michael Thiele, who has been with Metro Police since April 2006, Officer Barbara Morgan said.

Thiele is assigned to the Enterprise Area Command patrol division.

Metro Police responded at 5:14 p.m. Saturday to the Las Verdes condominiums on a report of a man who apparently had taken pills and was suicidal, police said.

Officers arrived at the residence, approached the open door and tried to speak to a man inside.

The man, identified as Sasa Pudar, 37, was alone in the residence, police said.

Police said Purdar had blood on him and blood was seen on the floor. He also was in possession of a large screwdriver, police said.

Authorities said the man rushed "in an aggressive manner" from the door toward the porch outside where officers were standing. An officer then shot Pudar, and he fell to the ground and was taken into custody, police said.

Pudar was taken to University Medical Center for treatment and was booked absentia in the Clark County Detention Center in connection with attempted murder on a police officer with a deadly weapon.

Discussion: 4 comments so far…

By neiman1

5/26/09 at 5:07 p.m.

Suggest removal

Cops used to try and tackle mental patients and take them to a psychiatric hospital. When did mental patients become fair game for gunning down. The Supreme Court wont let you execute one after trial, why do the police have the right to execute them before trial.
By hooloogoo

5/27/09 at 1:08 a.m.

Suggest removal

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...Anyone notice if it was a Phillips or normal screwdriver..???
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By labdaddy

5/27/09 at 4:31 a.m.

Suggest removal

"Police said Purdar had blood on him and blood was seen on the floor. He also was in possession of a large screwdriver, police said."

Anyone else thinking that Mr. Pudar was holding a vodka and orange juice? Spin it, Metro!
By friday

5/27/09 at 9:35 a.m.

Suggest removal

neiman, he wan't executed. Also, I'd shoot too if someone tried to stab me with a screwdriver.