Las Vegas Metro police held a press conference in which they released additional information on the deadly shootings of Branden Hughes and his mother, Felicia Wimberly-Hughes.
They also disclosed additional information about the shooting death of Metro K9 Nicky. The shooting took place last Thursday on Fast Elk Street, in the northwest Valley.
Metro Undersheriff Kevin McMahill reported that Nicky was struck one time by a shot fired from a Metro officer rather than suspect James Craig Simpson, 31. Police provided body camera video that shows Metro Officer Abudhabi Lewis pleading with Simpson to step away from his handgun.
McMahill said Simpson continued to look at officers while keeping an eye on his firearm. Nicky was then deployed by his handler, Sgt. Eric Kerns. When Simpson saw the dog coming, he began running and fired a shot at officers.
“The officers recognized the threat and fired their weapons at Simpson,” McMahill said. McMahill said Nicky latched on to Simpson but couldn’t bring him to the ground. Simpson then fired at Kerns, and Kerns and other officers returned fire. Simpson was struck six times and fell to the ground. Nicky was struck once. “As I sit here today, it is unknown which officer’s round struck K9 Nicky.