Las Vegas NowSchool Officer Shoots Teen Suspect

School Officer Shoots Teen Suspect

Clark County School District Police drew their weapons and fired Tuesday afternoon. A suspect was hit but not seriously hurt.

A report had been going around some schools that a big fight was in the making at a neighborhood near Paradise and Sahara. School police stepped in to prevent it, ending up using the training that many people may not know they have.

It was the first officer-involved shooting for CCSD police in nearly five years. Police swarmed the neighborhood near the Stratosphere.

"This is a quiet neighborhood," said Don McCallister. "But sometimes trouble drives through."

That trouble came in the form of a group of middle and high schoolers up to no good, according to police. "Two school police officers were patrolling in the area in response to rumors of a possible large gang fight," said Lt. Ken Young with CCSD Police.

Officers approached the teens. Police say one boy threw something at them. One officer thought the student was about to reach for a weapon.

"I was sitting at my computer and I heard a pop and I wasn't sure what it was," said neighbor Heidi Swank.

That pop came from a school police officer's gun. The crowd of juveniles fled and the boy, shot in the leg by the officer, later turned himself in at the hospital. Meantime, students at nearby John Fremont Middle School got word they were going into lockdown.

"We were just going to be in the school for another 15 minutes because something happened," said student Richard Ragan.

Metro Police were called in to investigate the shooting. "The officer believed the individual had or was drawing a weapon," said Lt. Young.

School police officers are trained for fluid situations like this. They go through the same academy as Henderson and North Las Vegas Police Departments. Officers patrol campuses and neighborhoods near schools. School police have the power to pull you over, give you a ticket, or haul you away just about anywhere near a CCSD campus.

Officers train for scenarios when they think they're lives are in danger. "When the officer encounters a threat, or a perceived threat, the officer has a level they respond as well," said Lt. Young.

The school district has released little information about the suspect, other than he is a male juvenile and was shot in the leg. His injuries are not life-threatening.

School district police have normal police powers. But since it is extremely rare for a CCSD officer to open fire, Metro is taking the lead on this case.