A 43-year-old Las Vegas man named Brandon Durham was fatally shot by police after he dialed 911 for assistance while confronting an intruder in his home. This tragic incident, occurring on November 12, has sparked outrage and calls for accountability from Durham's family, notably his 15-year-old daughter, who expressed her disgust at how police treated her father as the suspect rather than the victim.
Durham's plea for help came amidst chaos as he reported that two individuals were shooting outside and attempting to break into his residence. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded, noticing the damage to the property and sounds of struggle inside. Officer Alexander Bookman, 26, arrived on the scene and breached the front door.
Footage from the officer’s body camera reveals a chaotic scene where Bookman, gun drawn, encountered Durham in a struggle over a knife with an assailant, later identified as 31-year-old Alejandra Boudreaux, wearing a ski mask. After yelling commands to drop the knife, the officer discharged his firearm, striking Durham, who subsequently succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Boudreaux was later arrested on multiple charges.
Durham's daughter stated, "I am disgusted in how the Metropolitan Police told my father, after killing him, to stay down," highlighting the emotional toll on the family. While the officer has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation, family advocates are calling for a swift arrest warrant against him.
David Roger, general counsel for the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, defended Officer Bookman, asserting that he acted within the scope of his duties. However, the circumstances surrounding the shooting pose serious questions about policing protocols, especially in how victims are treated during emergencies.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny on police conduct, especially in light of a recent justice department investigation into another police shooting involving a woman in Illinois. As further details emerge, community responses emphasize the need for reform and a reevaluation of how law enforcement interacts with victims in crisis situations.
