LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Sheriff Brett Zimmerman released details about the shooting last week near a gun range on Dean Martin Drive during a press conference on Monday afternoon.
HAPPENING SOON: @LVMPD is providing updates on last week’s shooting where one officer and three citizens shot at a man who stabbed another officer with a screwdriver @KTNV pic.twitter.com/EEm7uLkNIy
— Austin Carter (@AustinKTNV) February 8, 2021
Zimmerman identified the man who was shot and killed during the incident as 27-year-old Marvon Payton Jr.
He said that Payton had a history of attacking police officers and had been arrested before after an incident with the North Las Vegas Police Department.
North Las Vegas Police say Payton Jr. tried to take an officer’s gun as they walked into a Walmart near Lake Mead & Rancho in 2017.
He was charged with attempted murder, battery on a protected person and attempted robbery in that incident.
If he had survived last week’s shooting, he would have faced an attempted murder charge again.
Previously, he was charged with obstruction in 2015, and burglary in 2013.
According to Zimmerman, they received a call from the gun range that a man attempted to steal a gun during a class inside the range. They were advised that the man was being held by employees outside the gun range.
“It didn’t seem like they wanted to get involved but when they saw what occurred, that’s when they took action,” said Zimmerman. “Their training and tactics were along the lines of our officers, they saw the same threat, our officer fired and they fired."
PREVIOUS: Man shot after alleged screwdriver attack near gun range
When officers arrived, they ordered Payton to stand in front of their car. He refused and could be seen hiding something in his pocket.
The officers attempted to grab Payton’s arm and he pulled out a screwdriver and began swinging.
He hit one of the officers and the other officer and the 2 of the civilians opened fire on Payton.
The circumstances of where the shooting happened may have kept this from ending much worse.
“I would consider the gun ranges to be one of the safest places in town,” says Paul Chaffee, Lo Pro Consulting.
Chaffee certifies firearm instructors and teaches concealed weapons classes.
“Most people who work at gun ranges also have martial arts experience, they have self-protection experience so to think that this is going to be a continued incident, I think it’s more of an isolated incident,” says Chaffee.
The police officer who fired was identified as Andrew Nguyen, who has been employed by Las Vegas police since 2018.
Zimmerman says the district attorney is still reviewing the case and will decide if any charges should be filed against the employees.
