A tragic incident happened in Las Vegas last week when 43-year-old Brandon Durham was fatally shot by a police officer in his own home after calling 911 for help.
Durham, a father of one, was looking for help when he reported a potential home invasion.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to Durham’s call on November 12, with reports of shots fired at his residence. When officers arrived, they discovered evidence of damaged cars and shattered windows.
Inside the home, officers encountered a confrontation between Durham and 31-year-old Alejandra Boudreaux, a woman he reportedly knew and who had forcibly entered the home.
Body-camera footage released by authorities shows Officer Alexander Bookman kicking in the door and confronting the chaotic scene. In a heated struggle, Durham and Boudreaux appeared to be wrestling over a knife.
Officer Bookman shouted, “Drop the knife! Drop the knife!” before firing one shot that struck Durham, causing him and Boudreaux to fall to the ground.
According to the footage, Bookman then fired five additional shots at Durham as he lay on the floor. It remains unclear who was holding the knife at the time of the shooting. The arrest report states that following the gunfire, Boudreaux reportedly told the officer, “You shot the wrong person.”
Officers tried to save Durham’s life but were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Boudreaux was later arrested for her alleged role in the incident.
Durham’s death has sparked outrage among his family and the local community. His loved ones are calling for Officer Bookman to be held accountable for what they believe was an unnecessary use of lethal force.
“Brandon called for help, and instead, his life was taken,” said a family spokesperson. “This is not justice; this is a tragedy that could have been prevented.”
However, Officer Bookman’s attorney has maintained that his client acted within the law and protocol, arguing that the officer perceived an immediate threat to his safety and to those involved in the altercation.
Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren, addressing the media, described the shooting as the eighth fatal officer-involved incident this year for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
The case has reignited discussions around police training, use-of-force protocols, and the challenges officers face when responding to volatile domestic disputes.