A Las Vegas family is expressing outrage and profound sorrow in the wake of a tragic incident where a police officer shot and fatally wounded a man who had desperately called for help during a terrifying home invasion.
The shooting took place early Tuesday morning at approximately 12:40 a.m., according to a news release from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Following the incident, the department provided additional details during a press conference that shed light on the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The victim, identified as 43-year-old Brandon Durham, had made a call to the police amid a serious disturbance at his residence, as several individuals reportedly breached his home. In the midst of the chaos, Durham was doing his best to protect his 15-year-old daughter by instructing her to lock herself in her room and find a safe hiding spot, as was revealed by Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren at the press briefing.
Beyond taking cover with his daughter, Durham informed authorities that he was retreating to the bathroom for safety. Upon arrival, police officers observed multiple vehicles showing signs of damage in the driveway and noted broken windows at the residence. It was during this time that they were met with alarming sounds of “screaming and banging coming from inside the house,” according to Koren.
Officer Alexander Bookman was the first to breach the front door after forcefully kicking it open. He navigated through the L-shaped hallway of the home, and upon rounding a corner, he encountered Durham and a woman, 31-year-old Alejandra Boudreaux, engaged in a deadly struggle over a knife.
Bookman ordered them to drop the blade but, in a split second decision, fired his weapon—striking Durham and causing both individuals to collapse. Reports indicate that a total of six shots were discharged by Bookman. Despite the swift response from officers who immediately took Boudreaux into custody and attempted to render aid to Durham, he was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
This incident marks the 13th police shooting within the jurisdiction of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department this year and represents the eighth fatal shooting recorded in the same timeframe. Comparatively, the previous year saw just six police-related shootings, two of which resulted in fatalities, Koren noted in his address to the press.
According to Koren, investigators believe there was a pre-existing relationship between Durham and Boudreaux, which prompted authorities to classify the initial emergency call as a domestic disturbance. Following the events, Boudreaux has been formally charged with several serious offenses, including willful disregard for safety leading to death, home invasion with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, and child endangerment.
As the investigation continues, the police department’s dedicated Critical Incident Review Team is thoroughly examining the circumstances surrounding Durham’s death, focusing on relevant policies, tactics, and training in relation to the use of force exhibited during the shooting.
Durham’s sister, Diane Wright, voiced her disbelief and anger over the police response, questioning the decision to shoot her brother instead of the individual dressed in a red hoodie and ski mask—a description of one of the alleged intruders. His daughter, Isabella, also shared her disgust towards the police department regarding their treatment of Durham after he was shot; she expressed her heartbreak over being left without her father.
In a reflection of the family’s loss, it was noted that Durham was a dedicated father, actively involved in his daughter’s life, never missing key moments such as school dances and basketball games. He had been a realtor with Signature Real Estate Group for more than 15 years, establishing a strong community connection.
In the wake of this tragedy, the family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to seek financial assistance for funeral costs, counseling services, and emotional support to cope with their loss.
He leaves behind not only his daughter, Isabella, but also his partner, Rachael Gore, and his 13-year-old stepson, Branden. The community is mourning alongside the family as they process this devastating loss.
This story has been updated to add new information.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at [email protected].
What insights did Diane Wright provide regarding her brother Brandon Durham’s character and his role as a father?
**Interview with Diane Wright: Sister of Brandon Durham**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Diane. We understand this is a deeply painful time for you and your family. Can you share with us how you are coping with the tragic loss of your brother, Brandon?
**Diane Wright:** Thank you for having me. It’s been incredibly hard. We’re all in shock. Brandon was not only a loving brother, but he was a devoted father. The fact that he was trying to protect his daughter makes this even more unimaginable.
**Editor:** The circumstances surrounding his death are incredibly distressing. Can you tell us what you know about the events that led to this tragic incident?
**Diane Wright:** From what we know, Brandon called the police for help during a home invasion. He was scared and just wanted to keep his daughter safe. It’s horrifying to think that he called for help and instead lost his life because of it. It’s hard to wrap my mind around how this could happen.
**Editor:** The police have stated there was a struggle involving a knife during the incident. How does this affect the way you view what happened that night?
**Diane Wright:** I can’t imagine the fear and confusion he was experiencing. He was trying to defend himself and his daughter. The fact that an officer encountered them in that situation must have been chaotic. I just wish there had been a better way for things to unfold that night.
**Editor:** The police department is currently conducting an investigation into the shooting. How do you feel about that process?
**Diane Wright:** It’s important that there’s an investigation, but it barely feels like enough right now. We want answers about why this happened and how the situation could escalate to a fatal shooting. My brother deserved a chance to live, especially after he reached out for help.
**Editor:** What do you hope will come from this tragic incident, both for your family and for the broader community?
**Diane Wright:** I want justice for Brandon. I want people to know that he was a good man put in an impossible situation. More importantly, I hope this sparks changes in how police respond to domestic situations. There needs to be training and policies in place to prevent something like this from happening again.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us, Diane. We extend our deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time.
**Diane Wright:** Thank you. We appreciate the support.
