The deadly shooting of Brandon Durham has raised concerns over police protocols in emergency situations.
Tragic Mistake: Las Vegas Father Shot by Police After Calling for Help
Tragic Mistake: Las Vegas Father Shot by Police After Calling for Help
A father’s plea for assistance turns fatal as police confront the wrong suspect in a domestic incident.
On November 12, a Las Vegas man, Brandon Durham, tragically lost his life after calling 911 for help against an intruder. The 43-year-old father reported two people shooting outside his home and attempting to break in, putting his 15-year-old daughter at risk. Bodycam footage from the incident captured the chaos that ensued when Officer Alexander Bookman arrived at the scene, with Durham reportedly fighting a masked woman identified as 31-year-old Alejandra Boudreaux.
After forcefully entering the home, Officer Bookman shouted commands at Durham, who was engaged in a physical struggle with Boudreaux over a knife. In a split-second decision, Bookman shot Durham, believing he was the threat, despite the distressing circumstances of the call for help. “Put your hands up!” Bookman can be heard yelling after he fired the fatal shots. The incident left the young daughter distraught and mourning her father's loss, expressing her outrage that her father was treated as the suspect rather than the victim.
Calls from the family for justice have amplified, demanding the immediate dismissal of Officer Bookman and accountability for the tragic event. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has placed Bookman on paid leave while an internal review of the events takes place, amid public reminders of similar incidents, such as the case of Sonya Massey in Illinois. Initial findings suggest that Durham and Boudreaux, who has since been charged, may have had a prior relationship. The absence of a firearm at the scene, contrasting initial reports, has led to renewed scrutiny on police response protocols in critical emergencies and further calls for wider police reform.
After forcefully entering the home, Officer Bookman shouted commands at Durham, who was engaged in a physical struggle with Boudreaux over a knife. In a split-second decision, Bookman shot Durham, believing he was the threat, despite the distressing circumstances of the call for help. “Put your hands up!” Bookman can be heard yelling after he fired the fatal shots. The incident left the young daughter distraught and mourning her father's loss, expressing her outrage that her father was treated as the suspect rather than the victim.
Calls from the family for justice have amplified, demanding the immediate dismissal of Officer Bookman and accountability for the tragic event. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has placed Bookman on paid leave while an internal review of the events takes place, amid public reminders of similar incidents, such as the case of Sonya Massey in Illinois. Initial findings suggest that Durham and Boudreaux, who has since been charged, may have had a prior relationship. The absence of a firearm at the scene, contrasting initial reports, has led to renewed scrutiny on police response protocols in critical emergencies and further calls for wider police reform.
