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Henderson Police spokesman Keith Paul talks to the media outside of an Albertsons grocery store where Henderson Police shot a man Wednesday afternoon at the corner of Lake Mead Parkway and Boulder Highway in Henderson, Nov. 14, 2012.
By William D'Urso (contact) 
Published Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012 | 4:45 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012 | 10:30 p.m.
Hostage situation
Henderson Police shot a man Wednesday afternoon inside an Albertsons grocery store after he raised what appeared to be a handgun at SWAT personnel. Detectives later determined the piece to be a pellet gun.
About 3:30 p.m., Henderson Police received reports of a man armed with a gun walking into the restroom in the back of the Albertsons at 190 N. Boulder Highway, near Lake Mead Boulevard, said Henderson Police spokesman Keith Paul.
When officers arrived, Paul said, they evacuated the store and approached the restroom to try without success to talk to the man. SWAT officers arrived shortly after and again tried to talk with the man in hopes of ending the stand-off peacefully.
Around 4:15, the man slowly pushed the door open with the gun raised at Henderson SWAT personnel, forcing them to fire in self-defense, Paul said. The man was shot by three officers and was transported to Sunrise Hospital and was last listed in critical condition.
Paul said police were initially told by store security that the man had a child hostage with him, but upon entering the restroom after the shooting, no child was found. Instead, an infant-sized doll and the man’s belongings were discovered on the changing table.
Police didn’t know the man had a pellet gun because it was made to look like a real semi-automatic handgun, Paul said. An examination of the firearm after the shooting revealed the man's pellet gun.
As of Wednesday night detectives were still trying to identify the man.
Outside the Albertsons in the shooting's aftermath, at least 11 police units and scores of onlookers stood by. Albertsons employees could be seen in an area just outside the store, but police would not allow reporters access to them.
Anthony Alers, a manager at the AT&T store across the parking lot from the Albertsons, said a woman came into his store about 3:40 p.m. She told Alers there was a man in the grocery store with a gun. Alers said he called 911 to report the incident, and dispatchers told him police already had been notified and were on their way.
Alers said the woman, who was not identified, told him she was shopping in Albertsons when a P.A. announcement advised all of the shoppers to come to the front of the store and leave.
At 7 p.m., the store remained closed while police continued to process the scene. Paul said he did not know when the store would be ready to reopen.
The three officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation into the shooting continues, Paul said.
Come on Mark where are you with your "Yeah, More Guns!"
Another example of metros shoot first and ask questions later.
At least this time they did not kill the guy.
Metro needs to learn patience and give these mentally ill people some time to calm down and understand their situation.
Interesting that Metro DOES NOT VIDEO TAPE THESE incidents. It might show that they did not act properly.
On the other hand, if they did they might learn something. Gee, what a novel idea.
He came out of the restroom with gun up and you want the police to do what?...be patient?
LOL
People fail to realize that Las Vegas draws an entirely different criminal element. They don't know "hands up". They don't know "drop it". They don't know "stop".
Police are left with little choice but to shoot.
@Bob635, Metro has no jurisdiction in Henderson.
There are three sides to every story. Metro's side, the mans side and what really happened. Guess who's side we'll hear?
Bob635 and z white knight don't know how to read or are so hateful of Metro that everything is their fault. This occurred in HENDERSON. When a man points a gun at an officer there is no time to schedule counseling, obtain a mental health report or grab a video camera. If you bring something logical to the debate, people would listen to you.
If anyone wants to be shot the surest way is to walk up to any Police Officer in America and point a gun at him. Do none of the, "I don't know the difference between the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Henderson Police Department," haters posting here, NOT remember Zane Floyd? Look it up boys and girls and when that man who killed 4 people walked out of Albertsons with his gun and was confronted by "Metro," as you say, he didn't get shot. Not that I personally would have been upset if he had. Think that was an Albertsons as well wasn't it. Glad the only person hurt here was the guy who obviously wanted to be shot.
Good job, Henderson police!
I support you 100%.
I don't have any problem with law abiding citizens owning and carrying guns. That being said, based on what was presented here, the Henderson cops acted properly. You can't approach the cops gun drawn, and not expect to get shot. Stupid gets what it deserves.
apparent facts: a man visibly armed with a realistic looking pellet gun.
carrying what looked to passersby to be a child
who carries NO verifiable ID
and refuses to come out of a room he is hiding in for hours.
attempted Suicide by Cop?
Metro, is a term commonly known for all police in the greater valley, not just in LV proper.
people really need to mind their own business. I am good friends with the victim's sister. She is completely devastated and no one is giving her or the victims wife any info. but if u really think you have the right to judge you better get the whole damn story first