Man killed by LV police after cross-valley chase, standoff

Las Vegas police shot and killed a man Thursday morning after a pursuit through the valley and an hours-long standoff.

The coroner's office identified the man as Brian Ramirez, 45, of Las Vegas.

The incident began about 2 a.m. with a domestic disturbance call in the northwest part of the valley, Deputy Chief Ted Moody said. Ramirez was gone when officers arrived, but his wife told them he was distraught and had fired numerous gunshots inside the house, including shooting up a computer, Moody said.

Police caught up to Ramirez in his black Dodge pickup on U.S. Highway 95 near Jones Boulevard and followed him south. The officers tried to pull him over as they approached Charleston Boulevard, and Ramirez responded by shooting at least one round at them through his truck window, Moody said.

As the chase continued south, police used a spike strip and flattened the truck's two front tires. The truck exited on Sunset Road and stopped in the intersection of Marks Street, and the standoff began.

Moody said Ramirez got out of his truck and held a handgun to his head as negotiators talked to him. He also fired at least one shot into the air.

With daybreak coming and no end to the standoff in sight, SWAT officers tried to subdue Ramirez with low-lethal weapons, Moody said, but Ramirez didn't surrender and instead took a combat stance and aimed his gun at officers.

That's when an officer fired one shot and killed Ramirez, Moody said.

The officer was placed on paid leave, a standard procedure after officer-involved shootings. Authorities will release his name Saturday.