The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department disclosed details from Monday’s shooting in the southwest valley that left two dead and two injured, including a police officer.
Assistant Sheriff Fred Haas said in a Wednesday briefing that law enforcement responded to the 4500 block of Pigeon Point Court around 12:30 a.m. after receiving a report from a woman that a man was chasing her and attempting to burn her with a blowtorch. The caller later said she had been shot and was hiding in the bathroom as the man attempted to light the house on fire, Haas said.
When police arrived and encountered the suspect, he opened fire, striking officer Zaira Venegas-Hernandez, 36.
After police backed out of the home and declared a barricade situation, SWAT and crisis negotiators entered the home and discovered the suspect and a 1-year-old girl suffering from gunshot wounds. The suspect and child died at the scene.
Clark County Coroner records also identified the suspect as 48-year-old Jason Alan Simmons, who died by suicide. The coroner had not yet released the child’s identity.
The woman who initially reported the incident had left the home before police arrived.
Venegas-Hernandez was discharged from the hospital later that day. She was placed on routine paid administrative leave, pending a review of the incident.
Monday’s shooting was the 10th officer-involved shooting in Metro’s jurisdiction this year.
Contact Devan Patel at dpatel@reviewjournal.com.
