Las Vegas, NV (KXNT) – Las Vegas Metro Police held a briefing on Thursday to discuss a fatal officer-involved shooting from earlier this week.
Assistant Sheriff Andrew Walsh provided additional details of the shooting that occurred on Tuesday morning near Charleston Boulevard and Sloan Lane.
At approximately 9:33 a.m., the LVMPD dispatch center received a call from a citizen reporting a shooting in a four-plex apartment building located in the 5600 block of East Lake Mead Boulevard. The caller stated that the shooting was related to a domestic disturbance.
Arriving officers determined 43-year-old Mario Martinez, broke into his ex-girlfriend’s residence and forcibly removed her while threatening her with a handgun. Martinez attempted to leave in the woman’s vehicle, but it had a dead battery. Martinez then forced the victim to walk with him.
Patrol officers located Martinez and the victim walking in the area of Charleston Boulevard and Sloan Lane. Officers tried to get Martinez to release the victim, but he refused. He began moving into a busy shopping center while holding the victim.
Martinez was still armed with a firearm as he attempted to steal multiple occupied vehicles but was unsuccessful. Martinez held the victim as they made their way through a grocery store and eventually exited the store into the rear alley. Martinez shot the window out of a box truck that was parked in the alley. He then forced the victim into the vehicle but was unable to get it started. Martinez then forced the victim to walk westbound in the alley towards Sloan.
As Martinez reached the sidewalk on the east side of Sloan, he pointed his firearm at officers. The victim took this opportunity to walk away from Martinez. Officer Hiestand then fired his rifle at Martinez, striking him. Martinez fell to the ground and began firing shots from his handgun towards officers.
Officer Hiestand returned fire and Martinez stopped shooting. Officers moved in to render aid, however Martinez was pronounced deceased by medical personnel on scene.