A driver accused of triggering a deadly police shooting briefly appeared in court Tuesday.
Sean Shirazi, 45, faces counts of second-degree murder, disobeying a police office, resisting an officer, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and battery and assault against a first responder.
Court records indicate he is being held without bail.
Troopers were investigating a crash on Interstate 11 when Shirazi drove through the crash scene and hit a truck, according to a Metropolitan Police Department report. Police said he disobeyed commands to leave his SUV and hit a trooper, pinning the trooper against a firetruck.
The trooper opened fire, according to police.
The woman identified as Shirazi’s passenger, Corinne Barnes, 40, died of a gunshot wound to her torso. Shirazi was shot in the chest.
Shirazi, who was in jail custody, confirmed in court that he had received a copy of the criminal complaint listing his charges.
Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Kristal Bradford appointed the public defender’s office to represent him.
Chief Deputy Public Defender Robert O’Brien said he would reserve a bail hearing instead of arguing for Shirazi’s release immediately.
Shirazi initially faced a manslaughter charge, but prosecutors have said evidence justified the more severe murder charge.
“He basically created a situation of felony second-degree murder,” Assistant District Attorney Alex Chen said previously. “He was committing various felonies and caused the death of the other individual, so we saw there was evidence to charge.”
Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com.
