LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is investigating its fifth officer-involved shooting of 2025 after officers responded to a reported carjacking Sunday afternoon at an apartment complex near Indian River Drive.
According to LVMPD, the incident began around 12:26 p.m. on Nov. 23 when patrol units were dispatched to the 5100 block of Indian River Drive, located near Twain Avenue and Decatur Boulevard. A 911 caller reported that a man armed with a knife had attempted to take his vehicle and threatened him during the confrontation.
When officers arrived, they located the suspect near the entrance of the apartment complex. Police said officers issued multiple verbal commands and attempted to detain the man. During the encounter, a physical struggle broke out between the suspect and two responding officers.
At some point during the fight, the suspect allegedly produced what officers believed to be a knife. LVMPD said one officer then fired his duty weapon, striking the man. Officers immediately called for medical aid, and paramedics transported the suspect to a nearby hospital. His condition was not immediately released Sunday.
Police confirmed that the officer who discharged his weapon will be identified after 48 hours, in accordance with department policy.
The Force Investigation Team responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Detectives spent the afternoon interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence and reviewing footage from officers’ body-worn cameras.
Carjacking Call Escalated Quickly, Police Say
The initial call described an active carjacking with a weapon, prompting a rapid response from nearby units. Investigators said the victim told dispatchers the suspect displayed a knife and threatened him during the attempted robbery.
Officers encountering potentially armed suspects are trained to issue verbal commands, maintain distance when possible and attempt to de-escalate before using force. LVMPD said the physical altercation forced officers into a close-quarters struggle where lethal force was ultimately deployed.
Fifth Officer-Involved Shooting of 2025
Sunday’s incident marks LVMPD’s fifth officer-involved shooting of the year, a number monitored closely by both police leadership and community watchdog groups. The department typically sees between 10 and 20 officer-involved shootings annually, depending on circumstances and crime trends.
Each OIS is investigated by multiple layers of oversight, including:
- LVMPD Force Investigation Team, which conducts the initial criminal inquiry.
- The Critical Incident Review Team, which analyzes tactics, training and policy compliance.
- The Use of Force Review Board, a civilian-inclusive panel that determines whether the force used was reasonable and within policy.
Captain Ryan Wiggins Issues Statement
LVMPD said Captain Ryan Wiggins delivered a brief media statement at the scene addressing the circumstances surrounding the shooting. In his remarks, Wiggins confirmed the basic timeline, the nature of the call and the actions taken by officers. The full statement was posted in LVMPD’s online press portal.
No officers were seriously injured during the incident, police said.
Witnesses Asked to Come Forward
As the investigation moves forward, LVMPD is urging anyone with information to contact the Force Investigation Team at 702-828-8452. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or submit a tip online at crimestoppersofnv.com.
The department said additional updates—including the identity of the officer—will be released as the investigation progresses and evidence is reviewed.
Background: Carjacking Trends and Officer Safety
The incident comes amid ongoing concerns about violent crime involving weapons in the Las Vegas Valley. LVMPD data has shown periodic spikes in robbery-related calls over the past several years, particularly in densely populated apartment communities.
Officer-involved shootings remain a fraction of overall police contacts, but each case is reviewed individually and typically includes the release of 911 audio, body-camera footage and investigative summaries within 10 days, following LVMPD’s transparency policy.
This is a Developing Story
Las Vegas News will continue to update this story as additional information becomes available, including the suspect’s condition, investigative findings and body-camera footage release dates.
