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Suspect, officer named in Bellagio shooting

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LATEST UPDATE: Police were able to identify the suspect arrested as 20-year-old Khaleal Black.

SECOND UPDATE: The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department identified the officer who shot at the suspect as 45-year-old George Smith.

Smith has been with the department since June 2005 and is currently assigned to the Tourist Safety Division, Convention Area Command.

He is been placed on routine paid administrative leave.

UPDATE: Police are asking the public for help identifying the suspect who they say was pointing a gun in a crowd in front of the Bellagio.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department released the man's picture, calling him a John Doe for now.

Anyone with information regarding who he is should call Crimestoppers at 702-385-5555.

ORIGINAL STORY

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirm that a officer-involved shooting took place in front of the Bellagio Las Vegas.

It happened around 7:15 p.m. on Friday.

Investigators say LVMPD observed a male suspect waving a gun at people. Police demanded the suspect to drop the gun, but he did not oblige. Police then fired rounds at the suspect.

According to user-submitted video, at least 2 shots were fired. The suspect was not hit, and was taken into custody. He is facing charges associated with aiming a firearm at a person.

One bullet grazed a child's leg, but they were not severely injured and were released from medical care. A man also had an entry point to his clothing but did not sustain any physical injuries.

Las Vegas Boulevard North and South were closed from Flamingo Road to Paris Drive for much of the night.

This is the second major incident on the Las Vegas Strip in recent months and the first officer-involved shooting on 2016. In December, a woman drove her car onto the sidewalkinjuring 36 and killing one.

We have gathered these photos and videos from the scene:

 

LVMPD briefing on Bellagio shooting.

Posted by Bryan Callahan on Friday, January 22, 2016

Action News Crime and Safety Expert Randy Sutton, a retired police lieutenant, about how officers train extensively on how to stop a threat while being aware of what else is in their direction of gunfire.

"Police officers are trained extensively on any collateral damage and they want to minimize or eliminate it if at all possible," he said. "So if they're using their weapon in the heat of the moment, it's of utmost importance."