Walmart shooting leaves gunman dead, officer injured

By Aida Ahmed

Published Friday, Sept. 9, 2011 | 7:06 a.m.

Updated Friday, Sept. 9, 2011 | 9:44 p.m.

A man who shot a Metro Police officer wearing a bullet-proof vest was killed by police this morning inside a Walmart store in the western Las Vegas Valley.

Metro homicide Lt. Lew Roberts said officers responded at 4:24 a.m. to the Walmart Supercenter at 3615 S. Rainbow Blvd., near Spring Mountain Road, after receiving reports that a man and woman were trying to use a fraudulent credit or debit card to purchase a large amount of items.

Four officers responded to the scene and police tried to take the man into custody.

"The suspect pulled a handgun from his waistband and began to fire at officers," Roberts said.

At least one officer fired back. The gunman's injuries initially were described as critical, but he died shortly after the shooting, police said. His name has not been released.

Sheriff Doug Gillespie said the gunman shot the officer multiple times in the chest, striking his bullet-proof vest, and in the left arm. Gillespie said the officer was doing well at University Medical Center and was with family.

"Thank God he was wearing a bullet-proof vest because it did exactly what it's supposed to," the sheriff said. "I look forward to seeing him back to work in the near future."

Police weren't sure how many shots were fired during the exchange.

The woman, identified as Carrie Helene Reed, 25, of Las Vegas was taken into custody for questioning and subsequently arrested on counts of burglary with intent to commit a felony, attempted theft and fraudulent use of a credit card for more than $100.

Police will release the name of the injured officer within 48 hours after the shooting, which is standard procedure in cases of officer-involved shootings.

The Walmart parking lot and adjacent strip mall were shut down this morning. Several Walmart employees were outside the building waiting to return to work.

Police were interviewing employees and customers who saw the shooting.

"We've got multiple witnesses we're interviewing," Cassell said. "Some of them saw and heard the incident."

About 25 people were in the store at the time, police spokesman Officer Bill Cassell said. No other injuries were reported.

Police were also investigating a crash involving a car that hit a police cruiser at an entry point to the shopping center, Cassell said. It wasn't immediately clear if anyone was hurt.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.