Metro IDs officer who shot man in southeast valley

Metro has identified the officer involved in a Monday police shooting in the southeast valley.

He is Officer Thomas Griffin, 47, Las Vegas police said Thursday.

Griffin shot and critically wounded James Nelson, 21, after a confrontation and struggle near budget hotel The Suites, 4855 Boulder Highway.

Nelson pointed a gun at Griffin and another officer Monday night during a robbery investigation in the southeast valley, according to Las Vegas police.

Police had responded to a robbery call about 8 p.m. near the intersection of Mountain Vista Street and Twain Avenue, near Boulder Highway, Metro said. Once there, the officers were told the robber had left, Metro said.

The investigation then led police to The Suites, where officers found Nelson walking “accompanied with two females.”

Another officer with Griffin tried to stop Nelson when they first spotted him, according to an arrest report made public Thursday. The officer pulled his gun and yelled for Griffin to get on the ground.

But Nelson ran, and the officer chased him, police said. The two got into a scuffle.

And that’s when Nelson pulled a gun, Metro said. Griffin then shot Nelson.

Nelson faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer and carrying a concealed weapon. The gun he used was not registered to him.

Griffin has been placed on paid administrative leave, a routine procedure for Metro officers involved in shootings, according to police.

Contact Chris Kudialis at ckudialis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283. Find him on Twitter: @kudialisrj. Contact Kimberly De La Cruz at kdelacruz@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Find her on Twitter: @KimberlyinLV.