Las Vegas police homicide unit investigates shooting in east valley

The Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Section is investigating a shooting that occurred early Wednesday morning in the east Las Vegas Valley.

A Las Vegas police officer and Marine veteran was fatally shot responding to a suspected gunman waving a firearm at a business on East Tropicana Avenue.

The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Chad Williams, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

An off-duty Idaho State Police trooper and an armed citizen returned fire at Williams during the shooting. Investigators believe those actions forced the gunman away from the crowded area and likely prevented additional casualties.