Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

2 Killed In Vegas Courthouse Shooting

Deputy U.S. Marshal Injured

UPDATED: 11:52 am PST January 4, 2010

LAS VEGAS -- A court security officer and a gunman were killed during a shootout at the Lloyd George Federal Building in downtown Las Vegas Monday.

Authorities said a third person, a Deputy U.S. Marshal, was also injured.

The shootings sent employees scrambling for cover as dozens of police officers and federal agents swarmed the building on Las Vegas Boulevard, between Bridger and Bonneville avenues.

Within minutes, cell phone video taken outside the building was uploaded to the YouTube Web site by a witness, Nicholas Gramenos. Gramenos was reporting for jury duty when the shooting broke out.

On the video, dozens of gunshots can be heard as Gramenos stood across the street from the building. His last words recorded on the video were, “I think they got him.”

Witnesses said a man wearing combat boots and fatigues was found dead in the bushes near the courthouse. Authorities did not confirm the identity of the shooter or what he was wearing.

Doctors at University Medical Center were treating the 48-year-old injured marshal and he was expected to survive. Hospital representative Rick Plummer said the fallen officer was 65 years old.

Authorities evacuated the Federal Building following the shootings and briefly moved employees to the nearby Las Vegas Academy. The Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas was also closed for the day following the shooting.

The shootings marked a tragic beginning to 2010 in Las Vegas and raised questions about security at public buildings.

Built in the early 2000’s, the Lloyd George building was said to be one of the safest in the country and was designed to meet security standards enacted after the Oklahoma City bombing.

But those improvements, mainly designed to protect from bomb blasts, did not prevent the gunman from opening fire in the lobby.

The courthouse contains 10 courtrooms, as well as offices for United States Marshals and the U.S. Attorney, as well as offices for Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign.

Reid released a statement saying, "My thoughts are with the [shooting victims] and their families."

2 Killed In Vegas Courthouse Shooting - Las Vegas News Story - KVVU Las Vegas (http://www.fox5vegas.com/news/22119310/detail.html#)

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Prayers for the speedy recovery of the Marshal, condolances to the CSO's family/friends, and kudos to both for the dirtnap of the oxygen thief.

Just an update:

As is the case with many security officers, the person killed was a retired police sergeant from Las Vegas. I hope he gets a police funeral and recognized as LEO since that's what he was doing when he gave his life, regardless of his title or paycheck.

As is the case with many dirtbags, the gunman had a long criminal history and decided his issues could only be resolved by shooting people he didn't know and had never met. His latest beef appears to be with his Social Security check being reduced when he moved. Hard to imagine that people who spend that much time in prison actually qualify for social security but he did. Lets hope his wounds were painful and lingering.

How awful...yet another family to keep in my prayers. Thank God the marshall survived, though; I hope he's doing well.