Las Vegas, NV – A tense encounter with a suicidal man on the freeway Friday evening left two Las Vegas police officers injured and a suspect in custody.
Around 5 p.m., police responded to reports of a distraught man walking into traffic on the freeway near N US 95 and E Charleston Boulevard. When the first officer arrived and attempted to approach the suspect, he tried to flee and a violent struggle ensued.
During the altercation, the officer’s weapon was discharged, striking himself in the process. A second responding officer was also involved in a crash while en route to the scene.
Both wounded officers were transported to University Medical Center and remain in stable condition as of Saturday morning. Their injuries are not considered life-threatening.
The unnamed suspect received medical treatment and was detained by police. The investigation into exactly what transpired during the incident remains ongoing.
This is the second officer-involved shooting this week in the Las Vegas metro area. On Tuesday, Henderson police shot an armed suspect who had stolen a vehicle after a pursuit. The man later died at the hospital.
Authorities are asking any witnesses to Friday’s freeway encounter or anyone with additional information to come forward. The two injured officers are expected to make a full recovery.