Man shot, killed near Harry Reid International Airport after attempted carjacking
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A person was shot and killed near the Harry Reid International Airport on Wednesday afternoon after placing graffiti, running from officers, and possibly attempting a carjacking, according to the Las Vegas Metro police.
Officers were patrolling in the area around Paradise and Russell roads, when they observed a white four-door Mercedes with spray paint on it at around 1:20 p.m., Lt. Jason Johansson said.
A few minutes later, those officers received a call that a man in a vehicle matching that description that was placing graffiti in the area of Maryland Parkway and Tropicana Avenue. The officers then found that vehicle at University Center Drive and Hacienda Avenue.
When they arrived, the driver had exited the vehicle and was spray painting a wall while wearing a mask. When confronted by officers, he removed his mask and threw his spray paint can down before running away.
Officers observed that he had a gun in his hand. The suspect went over the barrier onto traffic on Paradise Road. He left the officers’ sight shortly before they heard two gunshots.
When he entered traffic on Paradise Road, he immediately began pointing a gun at passing cars, stopping a silver vehicle. He pointed his gun at the person who was driving the vehicle, a man in his 50s. That driver was armed and shot the suspect.
The driver appears to be the victim of a possible carjacking, and at this time is not facing any charges, Johansson said.
Officers found the suspect, described as a man in his 30s, shot on the ground. He was taken to Sunrise Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.