Charges filed against suspect shot last week by police at Fremont Street motel

By Gregan Wingert

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012 | 5:47 p.m.

A man shot several times by Metro Police during an altercation last week at a Fremont Street motel faces felony charges for allegedly brandishing a knife at an officer confronting him for jaywalking.

Larry Barber, 37, was arrested Jan. 31 and has been charged with counts of attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon, resisting a public officer, carrying a concealed firearm or deadly weapon and assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Clark County District Attorney’s Office.

Officers Steven Williams, 34, and Keegan Doty, 26, tried to stop Barber around 4:47 p.m. after he allegedly jaywalked from a Fremont Street gas station to the Travel Inn, 2028 E. Fremont St., according to the arrest report.

Barber was talking to the motel clerk when police asked him step outside the Travel Inn and to remove his hand from his pants pocket, the report says.

Barber allegedly removed a knife from his pocket and started swinging the knife at Williams, who then fired approximately three rounds at Barber, according to the arrest report.

Barber was transported to University Medical Center Trauma in critical condition after the shooting, police said.

In a Feb. 2 interview with police, Barber said he had crossed Fremont Street to buy beer and return back to room at Travel Inn, the report says.

Barber told police there were warrants out for his arrest, so he tried to give his wallet to clerk to give to his girlfriend, who he said was staying in the motel, the report said. The clerk refused Barber’s request and began walking away from the counter when Williams arrived at the motel lobby’s door, the report says.

Barber told police he was trying to hand the knife to the officer when the shooting occurred, the report says.

Williams and Doty were placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings.

At the time of the arrest, Barber was wanted on a Nevada Department of Public Safety division of parole and probation warrant for the escape of a prisoner charged with a felony.