Sandy MaloneLas Vegas, NV – The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) released surveillance video that showed what happened after a man tried to steal a gun from a bag in a concealed-carry class at a gun range in February (video below).
The incident occurred at about 12:50 p.m. on Feb. 3 at The Range 702 indoor shooting range located in the 6000-block of Dean Martin Drive near Russell Road, KVVU reported.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Captain Jamie Prosser said the suspect entered the gun range and started touching things that didn’t belong to him.
Security video from inside the range’s classroom showed 27-year-old Marvon Payton Jr. entered the classroom during a break and sat down, KLAS reported.
Then the video showed Payton started digging through another student’s bag.
The owner of the bag saw what was happening and intervened, according to LVMPD.
Capt. Prosser said the man was asked to leave after he “began to cause a disturbance,” KVVU reported.
Range staff escorted Payton out of the building and waited while police responded to the scene, surveillance video of the parking lot showed.
Several patrons of the gun range followed the man outside to wait for officers to arrive.
Capt. Prosser said that when officers responded to the scene, they attempted to talk to the suspect, KVVU reported.
The captain said the suspect refused to come to the officers.
The video showed he refused all commands and hid his right hand in his jacket pocket, according to LVMPD.
Payton fought violently when the officers tried to take him into custody.
A female officer approached the man and he pulled out a screwdriver and “violently attacked” her, KVVU reported.
Security video showed gun range employees and students from the concealed-carry class rushed in to assist the officers just as her partner opened fire on the suspect.
Three range employees also opened fire on Payton, according to LVMPD.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
The wounded officer was transported to University Medical Center where she was treated and later released, the Las Vegas Sun reported.
The officer who fatally shot Payton has been identified as 34-year-old LVMPD Officer Andrew Nguyen, a six-year veteran of the police force, the Las Vegas Sun reported.
He has been place on paid administrative leave during the investigation as is protocol for all officer-involved shootings, KVVU reported.
LVMPD Assistant Sheriff Brett Zimmerman said Payton a history of violence against police that included charges of attempted murder, battery on a protected person, attempted robbery of a firearm, and assault on a protected person, all against North Las Vegas police officers, KLAS reported.
Watch the incident unfold din the video below. WARNING – Graphic Content:
Holly Matkin
