A Las Vegas stabbing suspect was shot after running from police with a knife still in his hand.
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Las Vegas Stabbing Suspect
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) reports that at around 12:48 p.m. on Aug. 24, patrol officers got a call that a man later identified as 38-year-old Caleb Hill, had randomly stabbed a woman on a bus multiple times.
The stabbing victim was able to get off the bus and run for help. Hill also got off the bus, however, at which point he allegedly proceeded to grab another woman walking on the sidewalk. He then reportedly placed his arm around the woman’s neck and started to stab her. That woman managed to escape Hill’s clutches and flee the scene.
Officers Arrive
Multiple LVMPD officers arrived shortly thereafter, including Officer Keith Hannof and Officer Beaumont Hopson. When Hill saw them, he started to walk away.
Both Hannof and Hopson ordered Hill to stop and drop the knife multiple times, but he continued to move away from them. Hanoff discharged a Taser, but it proved ineffective.
Shots Fired
Picking up his pace, Hill started to run toward another bus stop that included two people waiting for a bus. Hill was again told to drop the knife; he ignored those commands.
Hopson fired five bean bag rounds from a less-lethal shotgun. The rounds did nothing to stop Hill, who continued moving toward the bus stop.
That’s when Hanoff fired three rounds from his duty gun, striking Hill.
Las Vegas Stabbing Suspect In Custody
Hill was taken into custody and transported to University Medical Center Trauma in critical condition. His two stabbing victims were taken to the same hospital. Both were treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released.
Hill has been booked in absentia on two counts of attempted murder and one count of resisting arrest with a weapon.
Hannof and Hopson have both been placed on administrative leave, pending the results of the investigation. Speaking to reporters about the incident, LVMPD Assistant Sheriff Tim Kelly stood by his officers’ actions that day.
“If he’s already caused harm to two individuals, and is not complying with uniformed officers, he doesn’t want to be arrested,” Kelly said. “You don’t necessarily get that close. If an individual swings around with that knife, it only takes one precise hit and then you’re down.”
Police think Hill was under the influence of narcotics, but that hasn’t been confirmed.
“We believe there are some illicit drugs,” Kelly said. “But we’re waiting on toxicology reports to come back.”
Hill has an extensive rap sheet that includes arrests for battery, firearm and drug possession, and being a fugitive from another state, Fox 5 Vegas reported.