On Monday night, two protest-related shootings in Las Vegas left a police officer on life-support and resulted in the death of another protester at another scene, says the local sheriff.
At the news conference, Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Joe Lombardo said that the demonstrations “led to” both incidents.
“Last night, as Metro officers were attempting to disperse a large crowd of protesters in front of the Circus Circus [Hotel], our officers were taking rocks and bottles from the crowd while we were attempting to get some of the protesters in custody, when a shot rang out, and our officer went down,” Lombardo said.
According to the authorities, the suspect in the shooting was identified and taken into custody.
The second incident occurred at the federal building during the protest.
Officers encountered a man armed with multiple firearms and appear to be wearing body armor. During the interaction, he reached for his firearm, and officers engaged him, according to police.
The police officers shot him and he was pronounced dead at a hospital, according to this article.
The shootings happened during ongoing protests over George Floyd’s death at police hands in Minneapolis. A video of his arrest showing a white officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck, which later killed him.
“It is a sad night for LVMPD family in a tragic night for our community,” “With these protests which are leading to riots, one tragedy is only leading to another.”
Said Sheriff Joe Lombardo
