Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Press Release Re: Maurice Smith Shooting
Office of Public Information
400-B S. Martin L. King Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89106
Office 702-828-4082
Sheriff Kevin McMahill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On June 8, 2024, at approximately 11:10 p.m., LVMPD Dispatch received a report of a domestic disturbance in the 5000 block of East Craig Road. The call taker could hear a male, later identified as 43-year-old Maurice Smith, say he was, “ready to die,” and a female yelling that she had been hit with a wrench.
Multiple officers arrived in the area, including Officer Alfredo Chavez and Officer Cruz Littlefield. The officers were able to observe Smith in the apartment through an open door. He was physically restraining the victim with one arm and had what appeared to be a knife in the other hand. Less-lethal options were used to get Smith to drop the weapon but were unsuccessful.
Smith, still holding the victim and weapon, exited the apartment. Officers attempted to start a dialogue with him but after a few minutes, he stated he was going to kill the victim and retreated into the apartment.
Officers rushed to the window, breaking it, and observed Smith laying on the floor with the victim. Smith made a movement with the weapon toward the victim causing Officers Chavez and Littlefield to discharge their firearms, striking him multiple times.
The victim was rescued from the apartment and officers began life-saving measures on Smith. Medical personnel responded and transported Smith to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
The investigation of this incident remains ongoing. An examination of this incident is being conducted by the LVMPD Critical Incident Review Team. This review focuses on policy, tactics, and training as it relates to this use of force.
A video of the briefing can be viewed by clicking on the following link: https://youtube.com/live/lVzapgcQV4I?feature=share
PO 079b 06-11-24
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