Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo said the Las Vegas Metro Police Department (LVMPD) officer is in a “grave condition” following a shooting near the Circus Circus hotel and casino on the Las Vegas strip.
“This has been a long night for your police department,” Lombardo told a press conference. “As you are all aware there have been protests going on over the past week and those protests are what led to two shooting incidents last night involving LVMPD officers.”
Lombardo said a shot was fired while officers were trying to detain a crowd of protesters who were throwing rocks and bottles at police. One officer was hit and he was taken to hospital in critical condition.
One suspect was later identified and taken into custody.
According to local media reports, the officer is on a life support machine after suffering a gunshot wound to the head during the disorder.
In a separate incident, police shot dead a man who was armed with several firearms in front of the Foley Building and U.S. Federal Courthouse near Las Vegas Boulevard.
Lombardo said officers were stationed near to the building in order to protect it from protesters. At around 11:22 p.m., a suspect armed with “multiple firearms” and appearing to be wearing body armor approached the officers.
The suspect is then alleged to have reached for one of his firearms, prompting the officers to “engage” with him. The suspect was struck with the gunfire from police and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
No further details were given about either shooting. The investigation into both incidents are ongoing.
“This is a sad night for LVMPD family and a tragic night for our community with these protests that are leading to riots, One tragedy is only leading to another,” Lombardo said.
“What has occurred is utterly, utterly unacceptable,” he added. “I hope the community sees it that way too.”
There have been widespread protests and disorder across the U.S. following Floyd’s death while in police custody.
In a statement, the Las Vegas Metro Police Department’s Bolden Area Command said: “In this moment we ask for prayers for our law enforcement community. Let us join together in prayer for the peace of our city.
Nevada Governor Steve Sislak added: “My Office has been notified that the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is currently working two separate incidents in Las Vegas. The State is in contact with local law enforcement and continues to monitor the situation.”
