A North Las Vegas police officer was killed when an armed suspect disobeyed his commands and opened fire, striking the cop several times during a deadly “western shootout” Tuesday afternoon.
Officer Jason Roscow, 46, was responding to reports of a person with a handgun near the intersection of Lone Mountain Road and Camino Al Norte, 11 miles north of the Las Vegas Strip.
The suspect, identified as Alexander Andre Mathis, had managed to escape the first group of officers before Roscow located him again, KSNV reported.
Roscow, a 17-year veteran of the force, spotted the 25-year-old walking down the street and ordered him to stop and put his hands in the air.
Mathis opened fire on the officer after refusing Roscow’s commands, the outlet added.
Roscow was hit several times but fired back at his attacker.
The wounded officer was rushed to UMC Trauma Center in critical condition, the outlet reported.
Hospital staff attempted to revive Roscow, but he was pronounced dead later in the day. Mathis was also transported to the trauma center, where he died.
“More than an officer, Jason was a mentor, a friend, and a valued member of our law enforcement family. His memory will forever be a beacon of bravery, service, and dedication,” the North Las Vegas Police Department said.
Roscow joined the force in June 2007 before moving to the Traffic Division in 2013.
He earned the Exemplary Service Award during his time with the Traffic Division for “outstanding performance under challenging conditions,” the department said.
Roscow, a father of two young sons, returned to Patrol Operations in February 2004, where he remained until his death.
One nearby resident described the gunfire as a “western shootout” saying she saw three to four people running away from her house before hearing the gunshots.
“It sounded just like a western shootout, I heard the pop, pop, pop gunfire,” Toni Cooper told the outlet.
Mathis’ mother says he chose to be homeless rather than live in the house with her but was always welcomed.
His sister was stunned to learn her brother had a gun because it was out of character for him and she didn’t know Mathis to be violent.
“Our minds are puzzled because it’s like, how? The thought of my brother even having a gun is still like, how?” Sam White told KSNV.
“Even though he had falls in life, he was still a great kid,” his mother Tina Lottie added. “Even though he made mistakes, he was still a great kid. He still is worth something.”
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