Father Fatally Shot by Las Vegas Police During 911 Response—Investigation Underway
A 911 call for help ends in tragedy as a father is fatally shot by Las Vegas police, prompting a family’s call for accountability. 🌐 #News #LasVegasNV #Nevada #Shooting
LAS VEGAS, NV – A 911 call for help turned into a tragic confrontation when a Las Vegas father was fatally shot by a responding police officer, who arrived to find a volatile and dangerous situation unfolding. Authorities are investigating the incident, which highlights the split-second decisions officers must make in life-threatening circumstances.
What Happened the Night of the Shooting
On November 12, 43-year-old Brandon Durham called 911, reporting that shots had been fired at his house and that intruders had broken in. Durham was at home with his 15-year-old daughter at the time, according to Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren, who addressed the incident during a press conference.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officers arrived at Durham’s residence on Wine River Drive and found signs of a disturbance, including damaged cars and windows. Officers also heard loud noises and shouting from inside the home. Officer Alexander Bookman, along with two other officers, entered the home after kicking in the front door.
Inside, they encountered Durham and 31-year-old Alejandra Boudreaux in a heated struggle over a knife near a bedroom doorway. According to body-worn camera footage released by the department, Officer Bookman repeatedly shouted, “Drop the knife! Drop the knife!” before firing a single shot. This initial shot struck Durham and caused both him and Boudreaux to fall to the ground.
Seconds later, Bookman fired five additional shots at Durham, who was still on the floor. It remains unclear whether Durham or Boudreaux was holding the knife at the time of the shooting. According to the arrest report, Boudreaux told officers after the incident, “You shot the wrong person.”
Durham was pronounced dead at the scene despite officers’ attempts to save his life. This marked the eighth fatal officer-involved shooting for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in 2024.
Family Demands Accountability Amid Ongoing Investigation
The shooting has sparked outrage from Durham’s family, who have called for Officer Bookman’s arrest. “An arrest warrant should be issued immediately for the arrest of Officer Alexander Bookman,” said Lee Merritt, an attorney representing the family, during a press conference.
Meanwhile, Officer Bookman’s attorney has maintained that the shooting was lawful. “Unlike a civil case, in which an individual’s negligence is at issue, criminal cases require proof of a person’s criminal intent,” said David Roger, general counsel for the Las Vegas Police Protective Association. “While Mr. Durham’s death is tragic, Officer Bookman was doing his job and did not intend to commit a crime.”
The Clark County District Attorney’s Office stated that the investigation remains in its early stages. District Attorney Steven Wolfson noted, “It will take weeks, if not months, for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to complete its investigation; therefore, it would be inappropriate for me to express an opinion regarding whether criminal charges are going to be filed. I simply do not have all the information yet.”
Officer Bookman has been placed on administrative leave while the department’s Critical Incident Review Team conducts its investigation.
Details of Boudreaux’s Role in the Incident
The arrest report provides additional context about Boudreaux’s actions leading up to the fatal shooting. Boudreaux, who described her relationship with Durham as “casual and sexual,” admitted to breaking into the home using rocks to shatter windows. She told police she had been suicidal for several days and decided she “was going to die.”
“I wanted the cops to shoot me dead. And I wanted (Durham) to live the wreckage that I caused in his house,” Boudreaux said during an interview with investigators.
She reportedly retrieved a knife from the kitchen and confronted Durham in his bedroom. According to her account, Durham managed to take one of the two knives she initially carried before police arrived. Boudreaux claimed that she did not intend to harm Durham but hoped police would shoot her instead.
Durham’s daughter, whose name was redacted from the report due to her age, told police she was hiding in her room during the incident, holding her dog and fearing for her life.
Boudreaux faces multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, home invasion, domestic violence, and child abuse. She remains in custody at the Clark County Detention Center, with an initial court appearance scheduled for November 25.
Looking Ahead
The case continues to be reviewed, with authorities working to determine whether Officer Bookman’s actions were justified under the circumstances. The incident has reignited discussions about police responses to 911 calls, particularly when the callers themselves become involved in the outcomes. While investigations proceed, Durham’s family is demanding justice, and Boudreaux awaits trial for her role in the tragic events.
RELATED TOPICS: Nevada
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
We value your feedback! Did you find this article informative, inspiring, or thought-provoking? Leave a comment below and join the discussion. We appreciate your opinion and look forward to hearing from you!
