Woman shot, killed by Las Vegas police

Las Vegas police shot and killed a woman they say pointed a gun at officers Saturday morning.

The shooting happened at 1:41 a.m. in the area of Jones Boulevard and Smoke Ranch Road, according to a police report.

The police statement says that officers were responding to a report from a man who said a woman he knew stole his car, which had a gun inside.

Police say in the report that officers pulled the vehicle over but the woman driving it did not comply with commands.

Officers say they called crisis intervention, negotiation and SWAT units and were attempting to speak to the woman using a public address system when she got out of the car and pointed a gun toward officers.

"As a result of her actions, five officers discharged their firearms and struck the suspect multiple times," the report states. "Medical personnel were immediately called and the suspect was pronounced deceased on scene."

Jones from Smoke Ranch to Eugene Avenue was closed in both directions until about noon on Saturday while investigators worked at the scene, the southeast corner of a small shopping center that contains the Saddle 'n' Spurs Saloon.

Officers focused their work in and around a burgundy, four-door Cadillac, which was eventually towed away about 12:35 p.m.

Witnesses gave conflicting reports on what happened at the time of the shooting.

One woman who didn't want to be identified by name said she saw the shooting from a sidewalk across Jones from the parking lot. She said the driver emerged from the car with her hands over her head and did not appear to have a weapon.

A man who also didn't want to be identified said he saw the shooting from an adjacent building and that it was clear the woman was holding a gun when she emerged from the car, despite officers urging her to get out unarmed. He said the woman appeared to be cradling the gun in her hands, as opposed to pointing it at officers as described in the police statement about the incident.

Still, he said officers "really tried to end it peacefully."

Coroner Mike Murphy said the identity of the woman won't be released until her relatives are notified of her death. That may not be until Monday, he said.

The officers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave and their identities will be released in 48 hours, in accordance with department policy, the report states.

Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@reviewjournal.com or 702-229-6435.