Metro officer wounded — apparently with AK-47 — during prowler call

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Published Friday, Sept. 4, 2015 | 6:22 a.m.

Updated Friday, Sept. 4, 2015 | 3:14 p.m.

A veteran Las Vegas Metro Police officer suffered a gunshot wound, likely from an assault rifle, this morning while responding to a report of a prowler in the central valley, police said.

Officer Jeremy Robertson, 37, was in stable condition at University Medical Center, where he underwent successful surgery after being shot in the upper leg at a residence in the 6700 block of Oveja Circle. Authorities arrested two men in connection with the shooting — Clemon Hudson, 20, and Steven Turner, 24, both believed to be Las Vegas residents — on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer, conspiracy to commit murder and burglary with a firearm, among other counts. Officers at the scene learned of possible third suspect who may have left the scene in a white Nissan Maxima.

Sheriff Joe Lombardo said Turner is suspected of firing the shot that hit Robertson. Police believe the bullet came from an AK-47 rifle, Lombardo said, resulting in an injury that required titanium rods, screws and plates to be inserted in Robertson's leg.

"It's very disconcerting because of the damage that can be associated with a weapon of that type," Lombardo said. "It's designed to commit damage."

Robertson, a member of the force for 14 years, was the third officer shot in the past seven weeks. He and his wife are the parents of a 14-month-old child and are expecting a baby, Lombardo said. "My officers are on pins and needles as we address this," he said.

Lombardo said Robertson and a second officer, who has not been identified, went to the front door of the home after their arrival, then went through the home to the backyard. When they opened the back door, they were immediately fired upon. The second officer returned fire, striking Turner in the calf, and released a police dog that bit Hudson on the head and hands. Both Turner and Hudson were taken to University Medical Center for treatment before being taken to the Clark County Detention Center.

Hudson was arrested at the scene, while Turner fled and was found a couple of blocks away from the scene on Westcliff Drive.

Police said Turner was armed with a Beretta .25-caliber handgun in addition to the AK-47, and Hudson was carrying a 12-gauge shotgun.

Police closed streets in the area, including Rainbow Boulevard, while investigating the shooting. But the streets have reopened.

Moises Adames, who lives four houses away from the scene of the shooting, said he'd lived in the neighborhood for 50 years and had never seen a similar violent incident occur there. The site of the shooting is near a Latter-Day Saints church in the 200 block of Lorenzi.

"This is a peaceful neighborhood," Adames said. "When we see strangers here, we want to know what they're doing."

This is a developing story. Details will be added as they become available.