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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 acted out of hatred for 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. | 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 stand-off earlier this year. | |
The couple left a swastika and a "Don't tread on me" flag on the dead officers. | 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. | "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." | "In other words they believe law enforcement is the oppressor." |
Walmart shootout | Walmart shootout |
He added that he thought it was an isolated act. | He added that he thought it was an isolated act. |
According to witness and police accounts, the two suspects entered Cici's Pizza restaurant about 11:30 local time (18:30 GMT) on Sunday, where Officers Alyn Beck, 41, and Igor Soldo, 31, were having lunch. | |
The suspects shouted, "This is a revolution", then shot the officers. One managed to return fire, but it was unclear whether his shots struck the assailants. | |
The officers were killed, and the suspects placed swastikas and a flag - known as a Gadsden flag - with Don't Tread On Me written on it over their bodies. | |
Then, the suspects moved on to a Walmart store nearby, where they shot dead a man identified as 31-year-old Joseph Wilcox. Mr Wilcox was carrying a concealed firearm and had attempted to intervene before he was shot, authorities said. | |
Las Vegas police officers swarmed to the Walmart and surrounded it, exchanging gunfire with the suspects. | |
The rampage ended when Mrs Miller - said to be suffering a gunshot wound - shot dead Mr Miller, then killed herself. | 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. | 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. | 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, | 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. | Neighbours of the couple have told reporters the two had a reputation for spouting racist, anti-government views. |
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. | His sister-in-law Colleen Soldo described him as a "great guy" who previously worked as a corrections officer. |