LAS VEGAS (AP) -- A Las Vegas police officer shot and killed a man suspected of attempted murder early Wednesday morning after the man brandished a revolver.
Police said the officer shot the man several times about 5 a.m. at a south Las Vegas apartment complex. The man, whose name has not been released by authorities, later died at University Medical Center.
The incident began late Tuesday after police found a 16-year-old boy pistol-whipped and shot in face at the same complex.
Police said it was unclear whether the shooter had fired the revolver on purpose or whether it discharged accidentally.
"He had put up his hand to protect himself, the weapon discharged," police spokesman Jose Montoya said. "It looks like he was very lucky."
Paramedics took the victim to UMC while police searched for the suspect. Police said the bullet ripped through the boy's finger, punctured his lip and knocked out a tooth.
A resident at the complex called police about 5 a.m., reporting that the gunman had returned. Officers found the man behind a four-foot wall on an apartment patio.
"The officer can see a weapon in the guy's waistband and he's got his hand on the weapon," Montoya said. "The guy instead reaches for the weapon and is slowly moving it in the direction of the officers."
Montoya said the officer shouted at the suspect to put down the weapon before firing multiple times from about 10 feet away. Police said it does not appear the suspect fired his revolver.
Las Vegas withheld the name of the officer involved for 48 hours, a standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. The officer will face a Clark County coroner's inquest, where a jury will determine whether the killing was justifiable, excusable or criminal.
The officer also will face a use-of-force review board, where a panel of police employees and citizens will determine whether his actions were within department policy.
