LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The family of a man shot and killed by an Las Vegas Metro Police Department officer in his own home after calling 911 for help filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the department and the officer Monday. The lawsuit alleges LVMPD failed to adequately train Officer Alexander Bookman in the use of deadly force. FOX5 spoke to the lead attorney and the family outside the federal courthouse.
The deadly shooting happened November 12, 2024. Officer Bookman fired the fatal shots killing homeowner Brandon Durham as he was struggling with the intruder in his home over a knife. Durham called 911 during the home invasion reporting the intruder in his home near Sunset Park.
“Somebody trying to kill me,” Durham told a dispatcher.
During his 11-minute call, the lawsuit alleges Durham provided LVMPD with a thorough description of the intruder wearing a red ski mask. Durham was in his underwear since he was in bed prior to break in.
The lawsuit also alleges Officer Bookman knew Durham was the homeowner because less than 24 hours before the shooting, Durham let the officer into his home by using his thumbprint to unlock his front door as he called police for help removing someone from his home. The lawsuit argues the night of the deadly shooting, Officer Bookman knew he was dealing with that same person.
“I was up there yesterday. The aggressor in the situation yesterday was a transgender BMA tall with a black wig,” Bookman is recorded saying in body cam video.
“Brandon was a fun guy. He was a very fun, loving, happy person,” explained Rachel Gore, Durham’s wife. It is still hard for Gore to speak about what happened to him.
“That’s something that’s going to stick with me for the rest of my life,” Gore told FOX5.
Durham’s daughter was also in the home when her father was shot and killed and is also named in the lawsuit. The family says a jury should decide damages but they are in excess of $1 million dollars. The family is suing both the officer and the department because quote: “LVMPD, knew or should have known that it failed to adequately train, educate, prepare and equip its officer, Defendant BOOKMAN, in the use of force and deadly force.”
“Ultimately, we’re hoping that the city is forced to pay a sum that will force them to reconsider their policies that lead to far too many incidents of a misuse of force,” asserted Lee Merritt, Lead Attorney for the estate of Brandon Durham. The family’s attorney says they hope the federal civil rights lawsuit brings about change.
“We believe their policies and procedures are responsible for not only Brandon’s death, but far too many civilian deaths and injuries in the state of Nevada, and that’s what this lawsuit is designed to address,” Merritt contended.
In addition to filing the federal lawsuit seeking monetary damages, the family wants Officer Bookman to face criminal charges. FOX5 has learned the Clark County District Attorney’s Office has given Officer Bookman written notice of the state’s intent to initiate grand jury proceedings against him. The family has been told that may include a murder charge.
Metro will not comment on the case while these proceedings are pending.
The home intruder, Alejandra Boudreaux, remains in jail. A jury trial on home invasion, assault, child abuse and arson charges is set for October.
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