A Las Vegas man called for police help during a home invasion before an officer fatally shot him. Brandon Durham called 911 on Nov. 12, saying he was hiding with his 15-year-old daughter after someone broke into his home, Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren said. Durham is heard pleading with the dispatcher to “send someone ASAP” in audio recordings obtained by KVVU-TV in Las Vegas. Koren identified the officer who shot Durham as Alexander Bookman, 26, reports the Associated Press Bookman was one of the first officers to arrive and kicked in the front door. Koren said the officer found Durham in a hallway struggling over a knife with the intruder.
In body camera video released by police, the officer yells for them to drop the knife, then fires one round. Durham and the intruder both fall to the floor, then the officer moves closer and fires five more rounds while standing over them, the video shows. Durham, 43, died in his home. Koren said Durham and the intruder knew each other. The intruder was arrested and charged with home invasion and assault. David Roger, attorney for the Las Vegas police union, said Bookman was not at fault. “While Mr. Durham’s death is tragic, Officer Bookman was doing his job and did not intend to commit a crime. The person responsible for Mr. Durham’s death is in custody,” he said. Durham’s family wants Bookman fired and charged. “Mr. Durham was not threatening anyone. There’s no justification for the use of force against Mr. Durham,” said Lee Merritt, a civil rights attorney for the family. Bookman is on paid leave while the Las Vegas police investigate.
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