LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Henderson police released more details on a June officer-involved shooting that left a man dead.
In a video released by the Henderson Police Department, Benson Harper, captain of the department’s operations support division, detailed the June 26 incident that left a 71-year-old man dead.
Harper said the shooting stemmed from a burglary investigation in the 12200 block of Imperia Drive on June 25, during which police learned that a silver Volkswagen had been stolen. Detectives believed the burglary was related to a series of golf course break-ins. Law enforcement officials later found the stolen vehicle in the 3800 block of Casa Colorado Avenue.
“At approximately 7 a.m., SWAT team officers made announcements through a long-range acoustic device, deployed distraction devices and entered the residence,” Harper said in the video.
Upon entry, police said Officer Michael Stevens made contact with Bruce Ayer, 71, who pointed a handgun at SWAT team members. Stevens identified himself and told Ayer he had a search warrant. Police said Ayer continued to advance, pointing what appeared to be a gun at officers. Stevens then shot Ayer twice. Ayer was taken to a hospital, where he died. No officers were injured.
The briefing included radio traffic and body camera video from the incident.
“During the investigation, detectives discovered the weapon pointed at the officers was designed to look like a full-size handgun,” Harper said. The briefing did not classify the object Ayer was holding.
Police said the shooting remains under investigation and that the gun-like object was submitted as evidence. Harper said detectives would submit the findings to the Henderson chief of police upon completion.
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