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LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — North Las Vegas police released its critical incident briefing for a gunman who died in custody.
Police said the incident started just before noon Sunday in the 6000 block of Yellowhammer Place, near Decatur Boulevard and the 215 beltway. Police identified the suspect as Daniel Lujan Jr., 39.
Police said they received calls about Lujan Jr. armed with a black rifle.
“He has a rifle at my front door,” one caller said.
Callers said he was firing it into the air and toward homes and vehicles. FOX5 gathered video from nearby residents showing the incident.
VIDEO: AR-15 gunman bangs on doors, opens fire on North Las Vegas street before dying in custody
When officers arrived, they found Lujan Jr. lying on the street and repeatedly commanded him to stay on the ground. He quickly stood up, and officers moved to take him into custody.
Officer Roberto Vaquera said the first officer to reach the suspect was met with resistance. Police say the suspect was in a fighting stance.
Vaquera said officers used physical force to keep him on the ground. While on the ground, Lujan Jr. grabbed a rifle on an officer’s sling. Officers told him to roll onto his stomach, but he refused and continued to hold onto an officer’s rifle.
Vaquera said officers deployed a Taser and successfully got Lujan Jr. on his stomach. Police used a Taser again to gain control of his hands, but it did not work. Officers used a baton for leverage and were able to take him into custody.
Police said officers noticed Lujan Jr. bleeding from his head. Officers put him on his side and requested medical to expedite their arrival. Officers began life-saving measures as he became unresponsive. Vaquera said officers also sprayed Narcan.
Police said they believe the suspect was under the influence but did not specify what may have been in his system.
Just before 1 p.m., police say he died at UMC.
Vaquera said no officers fired weapons. One officer’s hand was injured, and they were transported to the hospital for treatment.
FOX5 has followed up with the Clark County Coroner’s Office to determine the cause and manner of Lujan Jr.’s death.
North Las Vegas police investigated Lujan Jr.’s history and found several arrests spanning two decades. It ranged from DUI, driving without a license, and domestic battery.
If he had survived, police said he would have faced three counts of attempted murder, 15 counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, five counts of discharging a firearm where people might be endangered, one count of resisting an officer, and one count of battery on an officer.
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