Authorities in Las Vegas are probing a tragic incident in which a police officer fatally shot a 43-year-old man, Brandon Durham, who had dialed 911 seeking assistance during an alleged home invasion.
According to police reports, Durham made the emergency call early Tuesday morning, indicating that two individuals were attempting to break into his residence while firing weapons. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Undersheriff Dori Koren mentioned that Durham’s call was among several 911 reports concerning gunfire in the Sunset Park area of the city.
Durham’s partner revealed that on the day of the incident, she was inside the home with their 15-year-old daughter and had intended to secure the girl in the bathroom for safety.
“The loss of life in a situation like this is always heartbreaking, and we approach this matter with utmost seriousness,” Collen stated.
Three officers were dispatched to the residence around 12:40 a.m. Upon arrival, they quickly noticed multiple vehicles outside and observed that several windows in the home were damaged, Collen noted.
During a Thursday press conference, body camera footage was shared that captured sounds of distress from within the home as well as the officers’ entry into the property. The video depicted officers forcefully opening the door amidst the chaos.
The footage illustrated screams and loud noises as the police stormed inside with their weapons drawn, progressing through a constricted hallway.
In the doorway, two men were seen grappling; one was in a red hoodie, while the other appeared to be in underwear. Later, it was confirmed that the unclothed individual was Durham and the one in the hoodie was identified as Alejandra Boudreau, a suspect involved in the incident.
“Drop the knife,” an officer commanded. “Please drop the knife.”
Merely two seconds post-command, the officer discharged his weapon, seemingly striking Durham as both men collapsed to the ground. The officer then advanced and fired five additional rounds.
Koren later presented a still image from the video showing the knife as both men collapsed in the doorway.
While Koren expressed that the inquiry into the shooting was still in its preliminary stages, he highlighted the rapid sequence of events, noting about three seconds elapsed from the first shot to the last.
Efforts to render medical aid to Durham were made, but he was pronounced dead at the site.
Boudreau was apprehended during the altercation and is facing multiple charges, including burglary with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, and child endangerment.
Currently in police custody, Boudreau is set to appear in court Monday, though no lawyer is listed for her defense.
Collen indicated that there seemed to be some type of connection between Boudreau and Durham, though the nature of this relationship remains unclear. Authorities believe the incident was not random but rather targeted.
A criminal complaint concerning Boudreau claims that she entered the home armed, allegedly in an attempt to incite a police reaction often referred to as “suicide by cop,” according to reports from NBC affiliate KSNV.
Efforts by NBC News to obtain the complaint were unsuccessful.
Koren communicated to reporters that the evaluation of the officer’s use of force would follow the standards outlined in the Supreme Court ruling from Graham v. Connor, framed by a police brutality case from 1984, which established a benchmark for determining the “objective reasonableness” of force used.
Collen added that the assessment will consider the officer’s perceived threat level at that moment.
“Unfortunately, our officers face extremely challenging circumstances, and in these kinds of situations, they must quickly analyze the unfolding events that occur in seconds,” Koren said.
Durham’s teenage daughter, Isabella, expressed her anger towards the police for leaving her to “live without her father” following the incident.
“The violence committed here stemmed from a very angry individual,” Isabella stated. “I’m appalled that the Metro Police told me to remain silent after my father’s death.”
For anyone facing a crisis, it’s crucial to seek help. You can reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org for live chat support. Additional resources can be found at SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
