Officers who shot murder suspect identified
The Las Vegas police officers involved in Monday night’s shooting of a murder suspect have been identified.
Officers James Milligan and Praise Cowman shot Nathan Benson after Benson charged them with a knife, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.
Benson is a suspect in the slaying of 44-year-old Shanna Ralston on Sunday morning.
Police received at least two calls Monday night reporting that Benson was seen near Washington Avenue and Torrey Pines Drive, near the location of Ralston’s slaying.
Police noticed Benson walking on the sidewalk on Rainbow Boulevard shortly before 10 p.m. Milligan and Cowman pursued Benson on foot after he fled, reports indicate.
The two officers stopped Benson on Rainbow just north of Alta Drive. When the officers instructed Benson to put his weapon down, he instead charged the officers, who fired upon the suspect and wounded him in the abdomen.
Benson was taken to University Medical Center and was booked in absentia on assault and murder charges.
Cowman and Milligan have been placed on routine paid administrative leave pending the outcome of a review of the incident.
Contact reporter Colton Lochhead at clochhead@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0264.
