On Tuesday, March 12, police shot and killed an armed man, identified as 43-year-old Edward Brooks, who confronted them with his firearm after three women and a dog were killed in two separate apartments in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The information was released in official statements from the North Las Vegas Police Department (NLVPD).
The series of events began around 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday when the NLVPD was alerted to gunfire at an apartment complex located in the 2200 block of E. Nelson Avenue. During the initial 911 call, the dispatcher was able to hear gunshots in the background.
Upon arrival, officers entered the courtyard of the complex, where they were met by a male wielding a firearm. Despite repeated verbal commands to disarm, the man continued to advance toward the officers, leading to the decision by two officers to discharge their firearms, subsequently striking the man.
After the confrontation, officers proceeded to inspect nearby apartments for any people potentially impacted by the reported gunfire. Their search revealed a grim scene: three adult females and a dog were found dead in two separate apartments. A young child was discovered unharmed in one of the residences. Medical teams were summoned to the scene and confirmed the deaths of the women and the armed suspect.
The Clark County Coroner’s Office has identified the women involved in the shooting as Venus M. Hart, 48, who died as a result of gunshot wounds to the head, Africa A. Woods-McGill, 52, who also suffered two gunshot wounds to the head and Tiffany K. Mawhorter, 42, who died as a result of a “perforating gunshot wound to the neck.”
The NLVPD has emphasized that the investigation is still in its early phases and more details will be shared as they become available.
Reflecting on the incident, the NLVPD confirmed this to be the first instance of an officer-involved shooting in the year 2024. Adhering to department policy, the identities of the officers who engaged the suspect will be disclosed after a 48-hour window.
At present, it remains unclear whether the suspect was acquainted with any of the victims, as the inquiry is yet in its initial stages.
An individual, claiming to be the property manager, informed 8 News Now that a portion of his residents are directed to the apartment facility by institutions aiding victims of domestic abuse.