LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A chaotic scene involving Nevada State Police troopers and a reckless driver led to the closure of part of Interstate 11 for several hours on Wednesday.
Thursday afternoon, Nevada State Police released additional information about what circumstances led up to the shooting.
According to state police, troopers were investigating a crash on I-11/U.S. 95 near Fourth Street in downtown Las Vegas when "an unrelated vehicle approached the crash scene in a reckless manner, striking a tractor trailer."
Troopers attempted to stop the vehicle, a Toyota 4Runner, but the driver, identified in a Metro police arrest report as 45-year-old Sean Shirazi, didn't comply and drove through the scene, hitting a trooper and a nearby vehicle, state police say.
"During the incident, a trooper discharged their firearm," officials stated.
According to the arrest report, Trooper Sanders opened Shirazi's door, but he accelerated forward and struck Trooper Dunbar, who was positioned between the 4Runner and a fire engine at the scene. The arrest report states that Trooper Dunbar was pinned between the front bumper of the firetruck and the 4Runner. Trooper Dunbar fired five shots towards the driver's side of the 4Runner, the arrest report says.
Shirazi then drove forward and struck another vehicle, pushing it approximately 50 to 60 feet, according to the arrest report. Police say Trooper Dunbar then fired an additional round in the direction of the 4Runner.
Trooper Sanders got back into his vehicle and attempted to follow Shirazi, but was unable to locate his vehicle, according to the arrest report.
VIDEO | Traffic cameras showed the large emergency response and freeway closure
Shirazi's vehicle was located a short time later at a Dignity Health urgent care center in the area of Sahara Avenue and Decatur Boulevard. Shirazi, who police say was shot in the chest area, was taken into custody and treated for injuries.
State police said a passenger in the vehicle during the incident was hospitalized and has since died from their injuries. A source with knowledge of the investigation told Channel 13 she appeared to be in critical condition on Wednesday afternoon. According to Shirazi's arrest report, the female, who was not identified, was shot in the "left flank rib cage area."
The arrest report states that Shirazi, in an interview with police, said he picked the woman up on the street near the on-ramp to the freeway. According to police, Shirazi admitted to "snorting a little methamphetamine" with the female before getting on the freeway.
"Shirazi explained as he got onto the freeway, he observed a lot of traffic and saw police officers. He stated his sister had previously put out false allegations against him, so he had active warrants," the arrest report says.
Police said that Shirazi spent 20 minutes of his interview with investigators trying to explain why his siblings called the police on him. Shirazi told police that he panicked because he did not want to go back to prison.
According to the arrest report, Shirazi's Nevada license was also suspended and there were no license plates on his vehicle. He is facing a slew of charges, including involuntary manslaughter, battery, assault and reckless driving.
No troopers were seriously injured during the event, officials stated. Troopers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation, which is being led by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's Force Investigation Team.
In Trooper Sanders' interview with LVMPD, he stated that he "did not understand how the pressure of being between the two vehicles did not crush Trooper Dunbar."
"Trooper Sanders assumed that Trooper Dunbar thought he was going to die," the arrest report states. "Trooper Sanders stated if he was in Trooper Dunbar's position he 'would think it was all over.' Trooper Sanders confirmed he was '100% afraid for Trooper Dunbar's life.'"
Nevada State Police are expected to share additional information in a media briefing on June 16.