This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-27767197
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Las Vegas killers were 'anti-police' | Las Vegas killers were 'anti-police' |
(35 minutes later) | |
A married couple who shot dead two officers and a bystander in Las Vegas had a hatred of the police and the government, authorities say. | |
Suspects Jerad Miller, 31, and wife Amanda Miller, 22, who died at the scene, viewed law enforcement as "oppressors", said police. | |
Officers are investigating whether they were at Cliven Bundy's Nevada ranch during a standoff earlier this year. | |
The couple left a swastika and a "Don't tread on me" flag on the dead officers. | |
"We believe that they equate government and law enforcement fascism with Nazis," Clark County Assistant Sheriff Kevin McMahill told reporters. | |
"In other words they believe law enforcement is the oppressor." | |
Walmart shootout | |
He added that he thought it was an isolated act. | |
Alyn Beck, 41, and Igor Soldo, 31, both husbands and fathers, were having lunch in a pizza cafe at 11:30 local time (18:30 GMT) on Sunday, when they were shot multiple times. | |
The suspects reportedly placed swastikas and a flag - known as a Gadsden flag - with Don't Tread On Me written on it on the bodies of the officers. | |
The officers were shot dead before the suspects moved on to a Walmart store nearby and shot dead another person, identified as 31-year-old bystander Joseph Wilcox. | |
Mr Wilcox, who was carrying a concealed firearm, attempted to intervene in the situation before he was shot by Mrs Miller, authorities said. | |
Emergency crews responded to the scene and blockaded the couple inside the building. | Emergency crews responded to the scene and blockaded the couple inside the building. |
The rampage ended when Mrs Miller - said to be suffering a gunshot wound - shot dead Mr Miller, then killed herself. | |
"Their only avenue was to take their own lives," Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie said on Monday. | "Their only avenue was to take their own lives," Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie said on Monday. |
Police have not officially indicated what the motive could be, but are exploring a potential link to right-wing militia and white supremacist ideology. | |
They are also investigating whether the couple were at the scene of a standoff with government agents at a Nevada cattle ranch linked to Cliven Bundy earlier this year. | |
Mr Bundy was protesting against government attempts to round up cattle he was illegally grazing on federal land, | |
Neighbours of the couple have told reporters the two had a reputation for spouting racist, anti-government views. | |
Witnesses said the two entered the pizza cafe, shouted "this is a revolution" and shot at the police officers. | Witnesses said the two entered the pizza cafe, shouted "this is a revolution" and shot at the police officers. |
One of the officers managed to return fire, but it was unclear if the shots hit the pair. Inside the Walmart, Las Vegas police called to the scene exchanged fire with the suspects. | One of the officers managed to return fire, but it was unclear if the shots hit the pair. Inside the Walmart, Las Vegas police called to the scene exchanged fire with the suspects. |
Beck, who was a father to three, had been with the police department since 2001. | Beck, who was a father to three, had been with the police department since 2001. |
Soldo joined the Las Vegas police in 2006, and leaves behind a wife and baby, police told reporters. | Soldo joined the Las Vegas police in 2006, and leaves behind a wife and baby, police told reporters. |
His sister-in-law Colleen Soldo described him as a "great guy" who previously worked as a corrections officer. |