LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Residents returned home Wednesday night after waiting many hours while Las Vegas police negotiated with a man who barricaded himself inside an apartment complex near Washington Avenue and Rainbow Boulevard.
Authorities said around 2:30 p.m., an officer tried to pull over a reckless driver near I-15 and Flamingo Road, but the vehicle failed to stop.
That vehicle was later found by a police helicopter inside the complex on Washington Avenue.
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"He tried one door, and he tried another door, and it was actually unlocked and open," said resident Kimberly Quarles-Mooring.
Police said the man then stayed inside the apartment and refused to come out.
13 Action News was there as SWAT team members in tactical gear rushed in - surrounding the Cornerstone Crossing by ground and by air.
"There were snipers everywhere, we go into the house, and 30 minutes later we get a knock on the door saying we had to leave," said resident Sloane Siobhan.
In the end, frustrated residents were asking how this could happen.
"You can't allow others who don't live inside the community come into your property and just cause these type of problems for your tenants," Quarles-Mooring said.
Others said the situation not only put the safety of residents at risk but added to their growing list of issues in this community.
"There was just a murder last week, and I just heard gunshots last night from what sounded like it was under my apartment," Siobhan said. "I didn't feel safe here before, but especially not now."
However, police said they are committed to making sure the complex is safe and were thankful Wednesday's barricade situation came to a peaceful ending.
"We're not going away, you're violating someone's home, you take over someone's apartment we're not walking away from that, we're going to make sure this community is safe," LVMPD Lt. Reggie Rader said.
