Shotgun-wielding man shot by Las Vegas police named
A man who was shot after he pointed a gun at Metropolitan Police Department officers was identified Tuesday.
Thor Cook, 30, was shot multiple times Sunday after he threatened to shoot police, disobeyed orders to drop his weapon and then pointed the gun at the officers, police said.
Police said the incident occurred about 2:30 p.m. near Desert Inn and Sandhill roads after officers received a call about a dispute between neighbors at 141 Greenbriar Townhouse Way.
Police were notified that a suspect was at his front door firing a shotgun at his neighbor.
When police arrived at the home, two officers noticed shell casings on the ground. The suspect, later identified as Cook, then opened the door, holding a shotgun.
Officers commanded Cook to “drop the shotgun,” but instead he raised it at a “low-ready” position in the direction of officer Frank Humel Jr., police said.
Humel, saying he felt threatened, then fired his own shotgun once at Cook, accord to the police report.
Sgt Mark Lourenco, reacting to Humel’s decision to fire, then shot at Cook four times with his pistol.
The police report noted that Cook was shot in the upper torso but does not list the number of times he was hit.
Cook was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in critical condition but was listed in serious condition on Tuesday.
Police also are investigating a report Cook pointed the shotgun at another neighbor before he was shot by police.
Humel, 36, has been with the Las Vegas police since January 2008. Lourenco, 38, has been with the department since July 1997. Both are assigned to the department’s patrol division in the Southeast Area Command. They were placed on routine paid administrative leave in accordance with department policy.
Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@review
journal.com or 702-383-0283.
