Las Vegas, NV (KXNT) – Las Vegas Metro Police briefed the media Thursday with more details of an officer-involved shooting that ended with two people – one a 3-year-old boy – dead.
In the early morning hours of February 6th, Metro received a report from a woman who said that a man, later identified as 28-year-old Quinton Baker, had just battered her and her friend at an apartment complex located in the 8400 block of South Maryland Parkway. She also stated that Baker had threatened to kill her and her son, and also advised that Baker was attempting to take the juvenile from the apartment.
Several officers, including Officers Jonathan Lo and Damon O’Donnell, were immediately dispatched to the call. While enroute, the woman provided additional information that Baker had discharged a firearm toward a vehicle in the parking lot.
Officers arrived in the apartment complex and contacted the woman, who told officers that Baker was inside the apartment with the juvenile and was armed with a firearm. She advised that if Baker saw officers, he would kill the juvenile. As officers were assessing the situation and gathering resources, Metro said that Baker exited the apartment carrying the juvenile in his left arm.
Officers immediately began issuing verbal commands to Baker, but he refused to comply and continued to approach the officers. Officers observed Baker had a firearm in his right hand pointed at the chest of the juvenile.
Officers continued to issue verbal commands, but Baker disobeyed and continued to walk toward Officers Lo and O’Donnell, causing both to discharge their firearms, striking Baker. Simultaneously, Baker discharged his firearm five times.
Officers approached Baker to take him into custody and saw that the gun was still in his hands. Both he and the juvenile had been struck by gunfire. An officer on scene immediately picked up the child and ran to medical personnel awaiting outside the apartment complex. The juvenile was transported to a local hospital where despite all efforts, he was later pronounced deceased. Officers rendered aid to Baker, but he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The preliminary investigation indicates that the juvenile sustained a close contact gunshot wound when Baker discharged his firearm.
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.