The suspect in a March officer-involved shooting that killed K9 Nicky has died.
The Clark County coroner confirmed 31-year-old James Craig Simpson had died of complications from multiple gunshot wounds. He had been paralyzed after the March 31 shooting on Fast Elk Street, near El Capitan Way and Iron Mountain Road.
According to police, Simpson had killed two people -- 31-year-old Branden Hughes and his mother 46-year-old Felecia Wimberley-Hughes -- before he was confronted by officers.
When police arrived on scene, Simpson was holding a firearm. Officers attempted to establish communication with Simpson. Eventually Simpson dropped his firearm but refused to comply with orders to step away from the weapon. An arriving K9 sergeant deployed K9 Nicky to apprehend Simpson.
Simpson immediately retrieved his gun from the ground and ran north, away from the officers. As Simpson was running, he turned and fired one round at officers. Two officers returned fire, but Simpson was not hit.
Simpson continued to flee north and wrestled with Nicky as the K9 bit and held onto him. The other officers continued to pursue, and Simpson turned and pointed his gun toward one of the officers. Several officers then fired numerous rounds, and Simpson was struck multiple times.
Nicky was hit by one of the officer's rounds and died of his injuries.
Simpson had been unable to attend his court hearings on murder, attempted murder and shooting charges due to his condition after the shooting.
