Erik Scott’s team leader at West Point reminisces about his friend at memorial on Saturday. Scott was killed a week earlier by Metro officers at a Costco in Summerlin.
Saturday, July 17, 2010 | 9:38 p.m.
Erik Scott memorial
Sun archives
A 38-year-old West Point graduate who was fatally shot outside a Costco store last week by Metro Police was remembered Saturday as an ambitious businessman and a dreamer.
His younger brother, Kevin Scott, said Erik Scott was working as a salesman, selling medical devices. He said he was excellent at his job and persuasive — especially when convincing his younger brother into dangerous stunts.
Those in attendance laughed at stories of the two brothers becoming fitness buddies and participating in the 1997 Body For Life contest.
“I was in the 10th grade and my brother said, ‘It’s time to lift some weights.’ He’s been doing pushups since the fourth grade,” Kevin Scott said jokingly.
After sharing a few stories about his sibling, he turned somber as he said, “I’m going to miss my brother greatly.”
Metro Police say Scott was shot on July 10 when he exited the store, pulled out a gun and pointed it at officers. A store employee had reported that Scott had a gun and was damaging property.
His family has disputed the police version.
Scott’s memorial was held at the Las Vegas Country Club, 3000 Joe West Brown Drive.
His childhood friend, Chuck Lang, said he was in shock and disbelief when he heard about the shooting.
Lang said Scott loved life and had a huge impact on his. He said the Sacramento, Calif., native joined the Army and convinced him to do the same.
They both ended up moving to Las Vegas and later discovered they had been living just three miles apart.
“I was struggling to find a job and Erik told me to go back to school and get my degree,” Lang said. “Two years after that, I was standing with a diploma in my hand.”
“Erik came into my life, and I was lucky enough to be considered his friend,” he said.
Another friend, Lee Ann Pusateri, asked everyone to “put aside your anger and celebrate his life.”
His girlfriend, who was at the store with him at the time of the shooting, didn’t speak, but asked Pusateri to read a note.
“I had no idea last Friday would be the last time I’d wake up in his arms,” she wrote. “Erik was the definition of what a real man should be.”
His mother, Linda Scott, said her son made it a goal in the eighth grade to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point and followed through with his dream, receiving awards and a scholarship.
“We are left now with his memories,” she said. “We miss you, Erik, and hope to see you again someday.”
Scott will be cremated and his ashes will be spread over the Pacific Ocean. Besides his mother and brother, he is survived by his father, Bill Scott.
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