Man charged with attempted murder of 3 police officers

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Published Thursday, July 15, 2010 | 10:54 p.m.

Updated Friday, July 16, 2010 | 10:36 a.m.

Metro Police this morning identified a man accused of firing on police officers late Thursday as 27-year-old Jason Vanbuskirk.

Three officers returned fire at the man, shooting Vanbuskirk after police say he fired multiple shots at officers and another person. Vanbuskirk was critically wounded and remained at University Medical Center this morning, police said. No officers were injured.

Vanbuskirk was booked in absentia into the Clark County Detention Center on three counts of attempted murder of a police officer and one count of attempted murder with a weapon. Additional charges could be filed, police said.

Vanbuskirk has no criminal history.

Officers responded at 10:02 p.m. to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 3900 block of Applecrest Street. Police said a woman reported that her boyfriend was outside their home and armed with a handgun.

Before police cruisers arrived, investigators in a Metro helicopter spotted the man, later identified as Vanbuskirk, hiding behind a dark truck armed with a gun, police said.

Officers approached him on foot, then Vanbuskirk fired at them multiple times, police said. Three officers returned fire, authorities said.

Vanbuskirk was taken to UMC's trauma unit, where he was in critical but stable condition, police said this morning.

Authorities said the man had fired at least two shots at a moped rider in the area before police arrived. The person on the moped wasn't struck.

Police canvassed the area into the morning to search for witnesses.

The names of the officers involved in the shooting will be released about 48 hours after the incident. The officers were placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard policy in cases of officer-involved shootings.