LAS VEGAS --Sheriff Doug Gillespie held a news conference Thursday to discuss the conditions of the two innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire of an officer-involved shooting on Feb. 8.
Metro Police said officers exchanged gunfire with 33-year-old Robert Antonio Torres at an apartment complex near Pennwood Avenue and Arville Street. Metro officer Joseph Parra, 34, and Detective Scott Thomas, 50, killed Torres.
"I think God everyday we left 10 minutes later than we had planned," said Susan Gowan who lives near where the shooting occurred.
During the shooting, two bystanders in the apartment parking lot were hit by gunfire. Gillespie said the two were talking to Torres about selling a car. Gillespie said the 22-year-old male victim was shot in the shoulder and is still hospitalized in critical condition. The woman was grazed by a bullet and suffered minor injuries.
"That could have been my son, that could have been my mom," said Gowan.
"I can assure you that it was not an officer's intention to harm an innocent bystander but this incident underscores the dynamics that officers see on the street," Gillespie said.
Torres was wanted for allegedly shooting his former girlfriend in the face.
"Based on my review, they acted as they were trained. They were fired upon and returned fire," Gillespie said.
Sheriff Doug Gillespie
