A 43-year-old resident of Las Vegas died last Tuesday after being shot six times by a policeman called to his house in connection with a burglary – media reports. The family of the deceased demands the immediate dismissal and arrest of the officer. His lawyer replies that the policeman did not commit a crime.
Las Vegas police are investigating Alexander Bookman, the 26-year-old officer who fatally shot 43-year-old Brandon Durham during last week's intervention. He called the police about the burglary. During a call to the emergency number, the man said that someone was trying to get into his house and that shots were being fired outside the property, reports the BBC.
Intervention in Las Vegas. Death by police bullets
After arriving at the scene, the police found cars with broken windows. Brandon Durham's home also had signs of damage and screaming could be heard from inside. The police broke down the front door and entered, reports the BBC. As indicated by the recording from Officer Bookman's personal camera, the 26-year-old policeman was moving around the house with his gun drawn. He encountered the person calling for help when he was fighting with a masked woman. The couple fought over a knife. It is unclear who was holding him. “Drop the knife, drop the knife,” the officer shouted a few seconds before pulling the trigger of the gun. Then he fired the first bullet. The bullet hit Durham. The man fell to the ground. The policeman shot him five more times. – Hands up – he shouted towards the 43-year-old lying on the floor. Durham died at the scene.
The woman with whom the homeowner fought was later identified as Alejandra Boudreaux. The 31-year-old was charged with four counts, including trespass with a deadly weapon. According to CNN, she was once Durham's partner. She allegedly entered his house without the man's consent.
The deceased's 15-year-old daughter, who was hiding in one of the rooms at the time of the incident, said she was “outraged” that the police treated her father as a suspect and not as a victim. Together with the rest of the family, he demands that Alexander Bookman be fired and arrested.
The policeman's lawyer sees the events differently. Quoted by the station, he maintains that he has not committed any crime. A Las Vegas police representative adds that “while Mr. Durham's death is tragic, Officer Bookman was doing his job and had no intent to commit a crime.”
An internal investigation is underway. Alexander Bookman has been removed from his duties. He is currently on paid leave, reports the BBC.
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