Police shoot armed Henderson man threatening suicide

By Gregan Wingert

Published Monday, Dec. 26, 2011 | 3:50 p.m.

Updated Monday, Dec. 26, 2011 | 6:54 p.m.

A 53-year-old man armed with a rifle and threatening to kill himself was shot by three Henderson Police officers on Monday after he pointed the weapon at the officers, authorities said.

Tony McNeill, of Henderson, was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, police said. No information was available on his condition.

“The officers had no other decision but to use deadly force,” police spokesman Todd Rasmussen said, adding that the man suffered a gunshot wound to his upper body.

The incident happened about 1:50 p.m. at Country Hills condominiums at 698 South Racetrack Road, near Boulder Highway.

Henderson Police received a call from McNeill’s mother, Rasmussen said. The woman said her son was threatening to commit suicide and was pointing a rifle at family members inside a condominium, he said.

McNeill’s mother said her husband and granddaughter were inside the home at the time of the time and that during incident her granddaughter fled the residence, Rasmussen said.

Police received reports of shots fired in the condo before they arrived, Rasmussen said. When officers got there, they started to secure the complex and encountered the man just outside the door of the condo, he said.

Police ordered him to surrender, but he pointed the rifle at the officers and he was shot, Rasmussen said. Nobody else was injured.

McNeill could be facing various felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, once the investigation is complete, Rasmussen said.

In accordance with department policy the names of the officers who fired at the man will be released 48 hours after the incident. The officers will be placed on routine paid administrative leave during the investigation.