Holly MatkinLas Vegas, NV – A heroic 24-year-old Las Vegas police officer who was shot in her pelvis during a traffic stop last week was able to return fire and kill her attacker, despite her wounds (video below).
The incident occurred in the 3900-block of University Center at approximately 1:13 a.m. on Sept. 10, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Assistant Chief John McGrath told reporters during a press conference on Tuesday, according to KVVU.
LVMPD Officer Tierney Tomburo, 24, and her partner pulled a vehicle over for a traffic violation at that location and made contact with the driver and two passengers, Assistant Chief McGrath said.
The three suspects all initially cooperated with the officers, to include complying with their request to exit the vehicle.
But a moment later, the suspect who had been sitting in the front passenger seat of the vehicle took off running, Assistant Chief McGrath said.
He was later identified as 27-year-old Gabriel Charles.
Officer Tomburo had barely begun chasing after the fleeing suspect when he suddenly turned around and shot her, bodycam footage showed.
The officer, who had been hit in the pelvis, immediately collapsed to the ground and returned fire, KVVU reported.
She fired four rounds at her attacker, hitting him at least once.
Assistant Chief McGrath said Charles’ gun jammed as a result of a “stovepipe” malfunction, KTNV reported.
“The gun will not fire when it’s like that, but there were 14 additional rounds in the magazine,” he said.
Bodycam footage showed the wounded officer radioing her location as her partner quickly applied a tourniquet to her pelvic area.
Assistant Chief McGrath said Officer Tomburo was rushed to University Medical Center and has since been released to continue her recovery at home, KVVU reported.
Moments ago:
LVMPD Ofc. Tomburo from @LVMPDSCAC was released from @UMCSN. She was shot during an incident early Sat. morning.
Officers lined up to send her home as she continues to recover from her injuries 💙
We appreciate all of the concern and well wishes for Ofc. Tomburo. pic.twitter.com/WCFbJxTbHS— LVMPD (@LVMPD) September 12, 2022
Charles was transported to Sunrise Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.
He would have faced charges of battery, attempted murder, prohibited person with a firearm, and resisting an officer if he had survived, according to police.
The driver of the vehicle involved in the initial traffic stop was arrested on a suspicion of DUI charge, KVVU reported.
Assistant Chief McGrath said Officer Tomburo’s response to the situation was heroic and that the LVMPD is proud of how she handled the threat, according to KVVU.
“She is at home, but in a lot of pain,” he told reporters. “But we have every hope that she’ll be back to work as soon as possible.”
On Saturday, September 10, @LVMPD Officer Tierney Tomburo was shot near University Center Drive. Today, she was released from @UMCSN and her fellow officers came to support her ❤️🙌 pic.twitter.com/PC8nKTJ2pP
— City of Las Vegas (@CityOfLasVegas) September 12, 2022
Officer Tomburo has been placed on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of the officer-involved shooting investigation, KTNV reported.
She has been with the department since 2020.
Watch the incident unfold in the video below. Warning – Graphic Content and Obscene Language:
