LAS VEGAS — Undersheriff Kevin McMahill met with the media today to discuss additional details of the March 31, 2016 officer involved shooting.
At approximately 11:46 a.m. LVMPD patrol officers were dispatched to a neighborhood located in the 9800 block of Fast Elk Street to investigate multiple reports of shots fired and two people possibly injured. It was also reported that a male, later identified as 31-year-old James Simpson, was walking down the street holding a gun.
Arriving officers located Simpson standing in the middle of the intersection of Fast Elk Street and Crazy Bull Avenue, and holding a firearm. Officers attempted to establish communication with Simpson, and eventually Simpson dropped his firearm, but refused to comply with orders to step away from the weapon.
An arriving K9 sergeant deployed K9 Nicky to apprehend Simpson. Simpson immediately retrieved his gun from the ground and ran north, away from the officers. As Simpson was running, he turned and fired one round at officers. Two officers returned fire, but Simpson was not hit.
Simpson continued to flee north and wrestled with Nicky as the K9 bit and held onto him. The other officers continued to pursue, and Simpson turned and pointed his gun towards one of the officers. Several officers then fired numerous rounds, and Simpson was struck multiple times.
Simpson was then taken into custody and transported to the UMC Trauma Center where he continues to receive treatment for his injuries.
It was discovered that K9 Nicky was hit by one of the officer’s rounds and was deceased at the scene.
