Officers Involved in Deadly Shootout of Carjacking Suspect Identified
ICARO Media Group
LAS VEGAS - The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has released the names of the five officers involved in a fatal shooting that occurred during a series of carjackings on Wednesday, December 27. The officers, who killed a 30-year-old suspect in the shootout, are now on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.
The two Metro police officers involved in the incident have been identified as Jacob Mekeel, 27, and Timothy Brooks, 47. Both officers have been serving with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department since 2018.
In addition to the Metro police officers, three Nevada State Police troopers were also involved in the incident. The troopers have been identified as Martin Moran, 31, who joined NSP in 2019, Danny Kincaid, 30, who joined NSP in 2023, and Luis Villanueva, 30, who has been with NSP since 2017.
The fatal shooting occurred near Blue Diamond Road and Durango Drive following a string of carjackings. As law enforcement responded to the incident, the suspect allegedly stole a police cruiser, leading to a high-speed chase. The pursuit escalated into a shootout, resulting in the suspect's death.
Authorities have not yet released further details about the shootout or the carjackings leading up to the incident. The officers involved will remain on paid administrative leave while an in-depth investigation takes place.
Public reaction to the incident has been varied, with many expressing condolences for the loss of life while others await more information before making judgments. The investigation process will be closely followed by the community and is expected to shed light on the series of events that led to the deadly shootout.
As details continue to emerge, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Nevada State Police will collaborate to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation is conducted. Updates on the investigation will be provided as the case progresses.
At this time, no additional information has been released regarding potential charges against the officers or any planned legal action. The community as a whole will be monitoring developments in this case, hoping for a fair resolution that addresses both the loss of life and the actions taken by law enforcement during the incident.