LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The household of a 911 caller killed by a Las Vegas police officer final yr filed a wrongful demise lawsuit Monday towards the division and the officer.
LVMPD Officer Alexander Bookman shot and killed Brandon Durham, 43, final November, 14 seconds after getting into his house. Durham referred to as police to report an intruder. Bookman shot Durham seven instances.
Police recognized that intruder as Alejandra Boudreaux, 31. Within the seconds earlier than the taking pictures, Durham and Boudreaux struggled over a knife, video reveals.
Information the 8 Information Now Investigators first obtained reveal officers, together with Bookman, have been referred to as to Durham’s house late on the night of Nov. 10 — about 24 hours earlier than the deadly taking pictures — for a disturbance. Durham instructed police an “ex-friend,” later recognized as Boudreaux, refused to depart.
Brandon Durham, 43, was shot and killed by a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Division officer after calling 911 throughout a house invasion. (Durham household)
Information present Bookman was the officer who signed off on the decision, saying Boudreaux finally left the residence, paperwork stated.
In a single video from Bookman’s physique digital camera earlier than the taking pictures, Bookman says over the radio, “Yeah, I was over there yesterday. The aggressor in the situation yesterday was a transgender [Black male adult], tall with a black wig.”
Rachael Gore, Brandon Durham’s registered home associate; and Isabella Durham, Brandon Durham’s daughter, are listed as plaintiffs.
“At no time did Brandon Durham, [who] was in his own private residence, pose a threat to LVMPD police,” the lawsuit learn partly. “At no time did Brandon Durham pose a threat to anyone.”
The lawsuit provides at no time was the lifetime of a police officer threatened as Durham and Boudreaux struggled over the knife: “At the time that Defendant Bookman first saw Mr. Durham, the knife the aforementioned intruder had was pinned stationary up against the hallway wall… At the time that Defendant Bookman shot Brandon Durham, the knife that had been held by the assailant, was pinned up against the wall and thus, no lives were in eminent danger.”
The lawsuit mentions that Bookman was on the Durham house the day earlier than, because the 8 Information Now Investigators first reported.
“At all times relevant, Defendant Bookman knew that Brandon Durham owned the residence referenced above because less than 24 hours before the instant shooting, Mr. Durham let Defendant Bookman into the home by using his biometric thumbprint, which served to provide entry to the abode,” paperwork stated. “At all times relevant, Defendant Bookman knew that when he was called to the disturbance caused by the above intruder, he was going to Brandon Durham’s house and acknowledged the same to his dispatcher before even arriving at the Durham residence.”
The lawsuit cites a violation of the Fourteenth Modification in addition to the Nevada Structure for allegedly utilizing “excessive force in conduction the subject search and seizure considering the totality of circumstances.”
The lawsuit seeks a minimal of $1 million in damages.
Clark County prosecutors are anticipated to carry the Bookman case earlier than a grand jury. The panel will then resolve if legal fees are warranted.
“While Mr. Durham’s death is tragic, Officer Bookman was trying to eliminate a threat and did not commit a crime,” David Roger, who represents Bookman by the Las Vegas Police Protecting Affiliation, beforehand instructed 8 Information Now. “We have faith in the criminal justice system and look forward to a fair result.”
In December, a grand jury indicted Boudreaux on 4 felony fees, together with house invasion with a lethal weapon. Boudreaux confessed to breaking into the house, saying she meant for police to kill her, in accordance with court docket paperwork. She remained in custody Monday on $1 million bail.
The division positioned Bookman on routine paid go away pending their investigation. Its coverage is to not touch upon pending litigation.
In January, LVMPD Sheriff Kevin McMahill stated his division will study from the taking pictures, including the investigative course of must play out as designed.
