A Las Vegas man, Brandon Durham, was shot and killed by police in his own home after calling 911 to report a potential home invasion.
The incident occurred early on November 12, when Durham, 43, was reportedly struggling with an intruder, later identified as 31-year-old Alejandra Boudreaux, over a knife. Bodycam footage released by the Las Vegas Metro Police Department shows a confrontation between Durham and Boudreaux, with Boudreaux wearing a red hoodie and Durham shirtless.
On the morning of November 12, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police received multiple 911 calls about a shooting on Wine River Drive. Durham, who was at home with his 15-year-old daughter, told the dispatcher that someone had broken into his house and was shooting at him, according to assistant sheriff Dori Koren.
When Officer Alexander Bookman and two other officers arrived, they saw damaged cars and windows and heard loud noises and screams from inside Durham’s home. Bookman forcibly entered the front door and, upon entering, found Durham and Boudreaux struggling over a knife in a bedroom doorway. Durham’s daughter was not present during the struggle.
Bookman ordered them to drop the knife and fired his weapon, striking Durham, causing him to fall to the floor. The officer then discharged five more rounds, fatally shooting Durham.
Durham’s family is now demanding answers. His daughter, Isabella, spoke out in a press conference, saying, “He called the police for safety, and instead, he was brutally murdered.” Durham’s mother also expressed grief, asking, “Someone needs to explain to me why my son is not here with us today.”
Officer Bookman has been placed on paid administrative leave while the Las Vegas Metro Police Department investigates whether his use of force was justified. The investigation could take between 30 to 90 days, according to Clark County district attorney Steve Wolfson.
Experts are raising concerns about the officer’s actions. Felipe Rodriguez, an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and former NYPD detective, stressed that police officers must be able to justify their use of force, particularly when multiple shots are fired after a suspect is down.
Meanwhile, Boudreaux has been arrested and faces several charges, including home invasion with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon, and child abuse.
Police reports indicate that Boudreaux and Durham were known to each other and had a sexual relationship. Boudreaux reportedly told detectives that she intended to provoke police into killing her during the home invasion. She has since refused to attend two court hearings.
