Police kill robbery suspect in shootout in east valley late Friday

A man believed to have committed a string of robberies was shot and killed after firing at Las Vegas police officers in front of an east valley convenience store Friday night.

The man, who was described as white but who was not identified, was suspected of firing shots at the scene of several armed robberies in the area before police confronted him in front of a 7-Eleven store on the corner of Nellis and Charleston boulevards shortly after 11 p.m., according to police.

Police said the man was using a sport utility vehicle matching the description of the robbery suspect's vehicle. Officers saw it parked at a gas pump in front of the store. When they got out of their patrol car, they saw the man was armed, police said.

The man pointed a gun at the officers and fired twice, missing them. Officers returned fire, striking him. The man was taken to University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The names of the officers will be released 48 hours after the shooting, per department policy.

Police did not elaborate on the locations or details of the robberies. The incident was the 20th officer-involved shooting for the department this year.

Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440.