LVMPD: Spray-painter shot by driver during attempted carjacking

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a shooting near Harry Reid International Airport Wednesday afternoon.

Police said one person was shot near Paradise and Russell roads and has been transported to Sunrise Hospital.

"This is an ongoing investigation," police said.

At 2:28 p.m., police said the person shot has been pronounced deceased.

Police said the airport connector is open for accessing the airport. However, there are surrounding closures. Russell Road westbound from Maryland Parkway has been shutdown by police.

Police said the homicide section has taken over the investigation.

Lt. Jason Johansson fronted a media briefing on this situation.

Johansson said officers were doing patrol in the south central command when they observed a white, 4-door Mercedes that was spray painted and driving recklessly.

Shortly after, a 911 dispatcher made a call to area officers regarding the same vehicle near Maryland Parkway and Tropicana Avenue.

Officers were shortly able to locate the vehicle and approach it on University Drive and Hacienda. When officers approached the vehicle, they saw that the driver exited and started spray painting a wall.

When the suspect was confronted by police, Johansson said the suspect took off a mask, threw the spray paint and started running southbound on University Center Drive.

While the suspect was running, officers saw a gun in his hand. The suspect was able to run into an area where police could no longer see him.

This is when police heard two gunshots.

Preliminary investigation by police indicates that the suspect was pointing his firearm at vehicles to perform a possible carjacking. The suspect pointed his firearm to one silver vehicle.

According to police, the driver of that silver vehicle is around his 50s and was also armed while having a passenger with him. Police said the driver of the silver vehicle shot the suspect.

Officers started to render aid on the suspect until he was transported to Sunrise Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

"The driver and passenger are extremely cooperative," police said. Johansson also confirmed that the driver and the passenger do not have any injuries.

The incident is also considered "not random" by police because the suspect was purposely running away from officers with a firearm.

Police believe that there could be more vehicles that the suspect pointed his firearm at. Johansson said those involved or those with information should contact the LVMPD homicide section at 702-828-3521 or email homicide@lvmpd.com. Anonymous tips can be made through Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or online at crimestoppersofnv.com.