NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- An off-duty Las Vegas Metro police officer was in a brief shootout during a botched robbery that left him dead at his home early Thursday morning.

That’s according to North Las Vegas police, who first responded to the house on Emerald Stone Avenue near Donna Street just after midnight. The 30-year-old officer, a three-year veteran, died on the floor of his garage.

Raw Video: Metro Officer Killed

His mother, wife and two toddlers were inside the home.

“For him to lose his life in such a senseless way is tragic,” said Metro police Undersheriff Rod Jett. “His poor mother, who comes out here for Thanksgiving, she’ll never forget this Thanksgiving, that’s for sure.”

North Las Vegas police detectives said the officer was attacked by several people, although it’s not known if any were wounded during the shootout.

Neighbors told FOX5 they have always felt safe because “five or six” officers live in the area.

Jett said the officer had just returned home from his shift and was not in uniform, so it was unlikely the attackers knew he was with Metro police.

“Like so many people who come home and open up their garage door, he appears to be a random victim,” he said.

Metro Sheriff Doug Gillespie offered the full resources of his department to assist North Las Vegas police with the investigation and arrest of the suspects.

A police motorcade and coroner’s vehicle carrying the officer’s body left the neighborhood just before 10:30 a.m.

The officer’s name will not be released until 48 hours after the crime and Gillespie made no announcements regarding memorial services.

The killing was another blow to the Las Vegas Metro Police Department, which has lost three officers this year. Two others died in separate traffic accidents that were ultimately blamed on the officers’ excessive speed.