Family of man killed by police endured home invasion five months before father shot
Police shot and killed a man Monday night outside his northeast valley home — the same residence police responded to just five months earlier on a July morning when the man's 23-year-old son fought back against a pair of armed home-invasion robbers, shooting and killing one.
The father, Roberto Ortiz Sanchez, 45, was at work that summer day when his family was held at gunpoint, a family member said. He owned a gun for protection.
On Monday, Sanchez was home, and police said he pointed that gun at officers in front of the family's home at 3869 King Palm Ave., near Pecos and Alexander roads. And when he failed to put it down after they told him to, one officer fired "several times" about 9 p.m., Metro spokesman Larry Hadfield said.
Two of his four sons — both minors — saw it happen, the family member said. Shot and bleeding, Sanchez tried to go back inside his home, police said. He was taken to University Medical Center, where he died.
On Tuesday, Metro released the reason officers showed up at Sanchez's home that night: A vehicle parked out front matched the description of one that left the scene of a robbery just 15 minutes earlier, at a Chuck E. Cheese about 7 miles south, at 350 N. Nellis Blvd. When officers arrived at the home, three people were standing around the car, police said in a news release.
As officers were trying to take the three people into custody, that is when police said Sanchez came outside his front door, facing the commotion, armed.
"Some of you, especially those of you who advocate for 2nd amendment rights, might remember the Sanchez family," a post on a GoFundMe account set up for the father reads, mentioning the home invasion. "Not only did he have the right, but based on the history of his own experience and the neighborhood, it would be in my opinion his responsibility to be armed and protect his family. The great tragedy is that he did not expect to have need to protect them from the Police."
Metro will name the officers involved in the shooting Thursday, per protocol.
As of Wednesday night, it was unclear whether the three people outside Sanchez's home were related to him or knew him. Police have not confirmed whether those people were ever arrested or are still in custody.
Just before 10 p.m., Sanchez's family was gathered within the home. Outside, lights lined the roof and parked cars covered most of the front yard. On the door, two piece of plywood covered bullet holes. And inside, about 20 people — some standing, some sitting, most talking — surrounded a tall Christmas tree sprinkled with ornaments.
Contact Rachel Crosby at rcrosby@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5290. Find her on Twitter: @rachelacrosby
