Bank robbery suspect shot, killed by Las Vegas police

A Las Vegas police officer shot and killed a bank robbery suspect after the man brandished a handgun at the officer Wednesday evening, authorities said.

Police were called to the Community One Federal Credit Union in the 3300 block of Flamingo Road, near Pecos Road, at 5:39 p.m. with a report of a bank robbery, according to 911 operating records.

Deputy Chief Ted Moody, head of the investigative services division, said police found the suspect's car, a red Dodge Charger, in the 400 block of 15th Street, near Mesquite Avenue, about 6 p.m.

Patrol officers confronted the driver, who jumped from the car and fled on foot. An officer chased the man before the robbery suspect brandished a gun at the officer, Moody said.

The officer opened fire, killing the suspect, Moody said. Police did not release how many times the officer fired at the suspect.

Moody said he didn't believe the suspect, whose identity was withheld by police, fired at the officer.

A woman was in the Dodge and was taken into custody, Moody said. Whether she would be charged in connection with the robbery was not known late Wednesday.

Moody said the suspect walked into the bank and demanded money while holding a gun.

The suspect then fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Moody said he was not aware of anyone being injured during the bank robbery.

Cathy Brooks, 40, who lives in the area where the shooting occurred, described the neighborhood as lively and full of children. There are never many problems other than the occasional drag race, she said.

"Most people here are working folks," she said.

The officer was placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into the shooting.

The officer's name will be withheld for 48 hours after the shooting, as required by department policy.

It was the Metropolitan Police Department's 10th officer-involved shooting this year. Nine of those have been fatal. At this point last year, there were more than 22 shootings involving Las Vegas police.

In all of last year, there were at least 25 shootings involving Las Vegas police; nine were fatal.

In 2005, there were 12 shootings involving Las Vegas police, nine of which were fatal.