The Las Vegas Metro Police Department released bodycam footage of an officer-involved shooting that took place last week.
Officers Kenneth Pilette and Chad Betts pulled over a man they suspected of driving under the influence. When Office Betts asked the man to submit to a field sobriety test he refused. Betts attempted to apprehend the individual, at which time he ran towards a bush and pulled out a gun.
Betts saw the firearm and ran behind the suspect's vehicle to take cover. He instructed the suspect to drop the firearm. Instead, he fired several rounds at Betts, Las Vegas Now reported.
Officer Pilette saw the altercation taking place and shot four rounds at the suspect. The suspect then turned to shoot at Pilette, at which time Betts fired two rounds at the suspect. Betts hit the suspect and he fell to the ground.
The officers called for an ambulance but once EMS arrived on scene the suspect was pronounced dead. The suspect was later identified by the Clark County Coroner as Kenneth Ryan Busse Jr.
According to Las Vegas Metro Police, Busse wanted to "commit suicide by cop." They came to that determination because he made suicidal comments in the past and on the day of the shooting.
It is part of Metro Police protocol to release bodycam footage within 72 hours of a shooting. Both officers have been placed on paid leave pending an investigation into the use of deadly force, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
Both officers are longtime veterans of the police force. Pilette has been with department since July 1998 and Betts since October 1999.
