District attorney releases review of man killed on New Year's Day
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The Clark County District Attorney's Office has released the review of the death of Fernando G. Sauceda, who was killed during a struggle with police on Jan. 1, 2011.
Shortly after midnight, two North Las Vegas police officers were in an unmarked vehicle when they heard gunshots coming from a residence in the 600 block of Glendale Avenue in North Las Vegas.
The officers observed several people outside of the residence, including one person holding a rifle.
The officers got out of their vehicle, identified themselves as police, and ordered the people to show their hands.
Several people in the group ran away but the person holding the gun pointed it at the officers.
Officer Jeffrey Pollard and the person holding the gun, Sauceda, got into a struggle. During the struggle, Sauceda was shot.
The district attorney has determined that Pollard acted lawfully on that night.
Traditionally, reviews of officer-involved deaths were done by a coroner's inquest hearing. However, changes to the inquest procedures drew legal challenges that have stalled the process.
The last inquest was held in Sept. 2010 and there is currently a backlog of 19 cases. In light of the delay, District Attorney Steven Wolfson decided to have his office review the officer-involved deaths awaiting an inquest hearing, including the Sauceda case.
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