NLV police interrupt gunbattle, arrest teen
North Las Vegas police said a patrol officer responding to gunfire Wednesday night interrupted a running gunbattle between a group of youngsters and fired shots at them in self-defense.
Police arrested an armed 16-year-old boy and booked him into the North Las Vegas Detention Center on a felony count of attempted murder of a police officer, Lt. Art Redcay said.
Police said several other suspects involved in the gunbattle fled before they could be taken into custody.
Redcay said dispatchers received numerous calls at 7:45 p.m. from people reporting gunfire in the 400 block of Reeco Avenue, near Lake Mead Boulevard and D Street.
The first officer to arrive heard gunfire and saw gun muzzles flashing with light, leading him to believe he was being fired upon, Redcay said.
After the officer saw several suspects moving west and firing in his direction, the officer drew his sidearm and fired shots in self- defense, Redcay said.
"Being fearful for his safety, the officer returned fire," Redcay said.
A second officer then arrived, and the two officers took into custody the 16-year-old boy, who was armed with a handgun.
Police found a second handgun and numerous shell casings in the area, but no other suspects, Redcay said.
Homicide detectives investigated the incident and determined that a group of juveniles or young adults were engaged in a running gunbattle in or near Valley View Park, north of Reeco. It appears the first officer interrupted the gunbattle, Redcay said.
Police did not release the name of the 16-year-old boy because he has not been charged as an adult. The names of arrested juveniles are typically not released until they are formally charged as adults.
The officer who fired his sidearm was placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation of the incident. His name is being withheld for 48 hours, a standard policy in officer- involved shootings.
A use of force board will determine whether the officer was acting within department policy when he fired at the suspects.
