HENDERSON (FOX5) — The family of a man shot and killed by Henderson police last Thursday is speaking out, saying he had a long history of drug use and had been in and out of the criminal justice system.
Family members identified the man as 44-year-old Fabian Leon. Police say Leon was holding his ex-girlfriend against her will and chased her outside with a knife before officers shot and killed him.
Brother describes years of concern
Leon’s brother, Rodrigo Leon, said he spent years watching Fabian spiral.
“I knew what kind of footsteps he was in, and I would cringe at the fact that he would someday show up at my house high on something,” Rodrigo said.
Rodrigo said that about five months ago, he saw a change in his brother when he was in a relationship with the victim.
“We saw how happy they were — he was really happy, and everything looked good at the moment,” Rodrigo said. “He was off drugs for a while, and he seemed good after a certain number of years.”
Court records show history of run-ins with law
Court records show Leon had run-ins with the law across Southern Nevada dating back to 2015. Most recently, he faced a strangulation charge in Henderson in January. A protective order was put in place to keep him away from the victim, but on Jan. 27, that order was dissolved, and Leon was released, according to court records.
Feb. 19 — the day the victim said she was scheduled to renew the protective order — Leon showed up at her door.
Victim describes moment of the attack
The victim described what happened when Leon arrived.
“He ended up getting a knife, and he ended up chasing me out the house with it,” she said. “And I saw my whole life flash right before me. Luckily, the officers were all lined up and ready to protect me.”
Henderson police shot and killed Leon outside the home.
Brother says he felt relief at outcome
Rodrigo said he shared the victim’s sense of relief after the shooting.
“God bless her — she was trying to help him,” Rodrigo said. “If it wasn’t for them, he would have killed her. He was on a rampage and he was ready to go.”
When asked whether he shared the victim’s reported feeling of relief after hearing the gunshots, Rodrigo said he did.
“All the times my brother and I came into contact, whether he was high or not, I felt the same relief when he would leave my house,” he said.
The victim told FOX5 she is hurting. She said her message to anyone in a domestic violence situation is: “The first time should be the last time.”
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