LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
A review of three police involved shootings of suspects last year concluded that Las Vegas Metro officers acted in self-defense.
The reviews authored by the Force Investigative Team detailed three incidents involving suspects in April of last year.
The reviews include:
The April 3, 2011 incident involving Michael Chavalier. In this incident, an armed Chavalier barricaded himself from officers after holding a woman inside an apartment against her will. After several hours, SWAT encountered Chevalier who died after being shot by an officer. Police acted in self-defense and defense of others when the suspect pointed a gun at the officers, the review concluded.
The April 12, 2011 incident involving Abdul Hamlan. Police had been called by Hamlan's roommate. Hamlan had been crying and had a gun to his head in the garage of his residence. Officers arrived to find Hamlan armed. Hamlan pointed his weapon and shot at the officers. The officers returned fire, hitting the suspect. Police acted in self-defense, the review concluded.
The April 19, 2011 incident involving David Gonzalez. Police saw a vehicle driven by Gonzalez driving erratically on westbound Flamingo Road near Swenson Drive. Officers performed a "PIT" maneuver to stop Gonzalez' car. The suspect exited the car, fleeing on foot and shooting at officer behind him. Police returned fire, killing Gonzalez. Police acted in self-defense, the review concluded.
The reviews released Wednesday come in the midst of a stall in the Coroner's inquest process of police-involved deaths. Metro's reports also correspond with findings released by the Clark County District Attorney's office of the cases.
Metro said the postings are part of an effort to provide transparency in cases that involved the use of deadly force.
Those reports can be found at LVMPD.com or at this link.
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