Henderson police responded to a domestic violence call around 3:45 p.m. on Saturday at a home in the 2000 block of Club Crest Way near Warm Springs Road and North Green Valley Parkway. The suspect, identified as 48-year-old Ropati Tauiliili, had battered a family member and pointed a gun at multiple family members before leaving before officers arrived.
Later that evening, officers returned to the home and found a woman with gunshot wounds. She was taken to a local hospital and is expected to be released. Police learned that Tauiliili was in the 6000 block of Eastern Avenue near Patrick Avenue and had told an acquaintance he intended to provoke a confrontation with officers and had threatened 'suicide by cop.'
When officers arrived at that location, Tauiliili fired at Henderson police officers and a Metro Air Unit. Officers attempted to speak with him, but he fired again. In response, two Henderson police officers fired their weapons, hitting Tauiliili. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured.
The officers involved have been identified as Julian Diaz and Thomas Whitney, both employed with Henderson police since 2019. Both have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Henderson police are set to provide additional details on the shooting.
Sources: 8 News Now
Original reporting: 8 News Now →
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