LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said a 33-year-old man led police on about a minute-long chase before producing a firearm, forcing officers to discharge their weapons.
We first broke this story the night of Dec. 28, 2023. Police responded to the 1800 block of West Charleston Boulevard around 9:27 p.m. after receiving a radio transmission of a stolen van.
Assistant Sheriff Sasha Larkin said the van was reported stolen on Christmas Day.
Officers Joseph Bringhurst, 33, and Richard Rivera, 28, responded and found the van in a drive-thru of a business located near Charleston and Rancho boulevards.
Larkin said the van was blocked by marked patrol vehicles during a "high-risk stop." The armed suspect, identified as Iesel Torres-Santiago, fled from the front passenger door and traveled on foot eastbound on Charleston.
Both officers followed the suspect for about 300 yards. Larkin said the chase lasted for about a minute before the suspect was found on the ground and armed with a handgun.
She said Torres-Santiago's firearm had one round in the chamber and three rounds in the magazine. She said he was not complying with the officer's commands while holding the firearm.
Police struck the suspect. Larkin said Bringhurst fired 11 rounds, and Rivera fired 4 rounds. Larkin said the officers placed him into custody and immediately provided medical attention.
However, the suspect did not survive his injuries, according to medical who later arrived at the scene.
KTNV's Abel Garcia spoke to an employee of a nearby business where the stolen van was found. She says crime is increasing in the area.
"More crime has been happening since ever before," said an employee of a nearby fast-food restaurant. "It was pretty scary."
Larkin said Torres-Santiago's charges would have been attempted murder with a deadly weapon on a protected person, resisting with a weapon, assault with a deadly weapon on a protected person, and prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
"This is the 10th officer-involved shooting of 2023," LVMPD noted in a release.
Officers Joseph Bringhurst and Richard Rivera are now on administrative leave as the investigation continues. An examination of this incident is being conducted by the LVMPD Critical Incident Review Team. This review focuses on policy, tactics, and training as it relates to this use of force.
