Officer who fired weapon during traffic stop on Strip identified

The Las Vegas police officer who fired his weapon during a traffic stop Friday night on the Strip, which resulted in no injuries, has been identified as Jesse Gerstal.

Gerstal, 28, was one of two officers on bicycles that pulled over a dark-colored sport utility vehicle around 7:45 p.m. Friday. Police said the driver was stopped near Spring Mountain Road and "words were exchanged" between them and officers.

Gerstal fired his weapon an unknown number of times and the driver fled the scene. The vehicle was later stopped.

Initial reports said the vehicle attempted to back into the officers. Nobody suffered injuries due to the incident.

Gerstal has been a Las Vegas police officer since April 2006 and is assigned to the Convention Center Area Command. He has not been involved in any other officer involved shootings.