Las Vegas Dad Shot Dead by Police After Calling 911: ‘Disgusted and Heartbroken’

Brandon Durham, 43, was fighting off a female intruder he knew when an officer shot him multiple times

On the night of November 12, 43-year-old Brandon Durham called 911 from his Las Vegas home, reporting a break-in. He told dispatchers that he was fighting off two intruders who had broken into his house.

When officers arrived, they found Durham struggling with 31-year-old Alejandra Boudreaux, a woman known to him, who was armed with a knife.

Bodycam footage from the incident shows officers entering the home, where they immediately encountered the violent struggle between Durham and Boudreaux. Police say they believe the break-in was not random, but instead connected to Durham’s prior relationship with Boudreaux.

In a split-second decision, Officer Alexander Bookman ordered the pair to drop the knife before firing at Durham. Bodycam footage shows Durham and Boudreaux collapsing to the floor as Bookman fired five more shots into Durham’s body. Despite attempts to save him, Durham was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two days later, Durham’s family is speaking out, calling his death a murder that could have been prevented. They allege that police acted too quickly, treating Durham, a man who called for help, as the aggressor—an assessment they say was influenced by racial bias.

Isabella Durham, his daughter, expressed her anger, saying:

“He was the victim, and I am disgusted that the police will allow me to live fatherless for the rest of my life.”

What Happened the Night of the Shooting in Las Vegas?

According to bodycam footage released by Las Vegas Metro Police and as reported by The Independent, officers responded to a 911 call from Brandon Durham, who reported a break-in at his home in Las Vegas on the night of November 12, 2024. Upon arriving, officers noticed broken windows on Durham’s cars and heard loud banging and screams coming from inside the residence.

The Arrival of Officers and Immediate Response

As the officers approached the home, bodycam footage shows Officer Alexander Bookman, 26, kicking open the front door. The moment the door opened, screams could be heard echoing from within. Bookman quickly entered the house, rounding a corner in the hallway, where he immediately encountered a violent struggle between Durham and 31-year-old Alejandra Boudreaux, a woman known to Durham.

The Confrontation: Durham and Boudreaux’s Struggle

According to the footage, Durham was wrestling with Boudreaux, who was holding a knife, as she attempted to assault him. Bookman shouted for both of them to drop the weapon, about one second later, he fired his weapon, hitting Durham, as reported by PEOPLE. Both Durham and Boudreaux collapsed to the floor as the officer fired five more shots into Durham.

The Aftermath: A Tragic Outcome

Despite the officers firing six shots in total, Durham was the only person injured. As reported by ABC News, Boudreaux, the female intruder, remained unharmed by police, despite being in the line of fire when the shots were discharged. Durham, tragically, was pronounced dead at the scene, and Boudreaux was taken into police custody without further incident.

Why Was Brandon Durham Shot Instead of the Intruder?

The body cam footage reveals two figures when the police arrive at the scene. One is believed to be the female intruder, identified as Alejandra Boudreaux, wearing a red ski mask and dark clothing.

The other is Brandon Durham, who appears to be in his underwear or boxer shorts. Despite the intruder wearing a red ski mask, the police shot Durham six times, with a single shot to the head, leaving him fatally injured. The family believes the shooting of Durham, rather than the intruder, was influenced by his skin color.

Brandon Durham’s Family Speaks Out: ‘Disgusted and Heartbroken’

The Durham family has expressed outrage over the police’s handling of the situation. Isabella Durham, Brandon’s daughter, was in the house during the incident. She spoke to reporters on Thursday, stating:

“My father was the absolute victim no matter what could have happened… the violence that occurred here was under someone who was extremely, extremely angry and extremely violent.” She added, “What is very difficult for you to even watch is the man who is home minding his own business trying to call for assistance, you shoot him? Instead of the one who is in the red hoodie and a ski mask?”

Durham’s partner, Rachael Gore, also spoke out, accusing the police of racial bias. “What are you looking at? Not the colors of the clothes, you’re looking at the color of the skin, and that’s why he’s dead,” Gore said, blaming the lack of police training. “That’s why we don’t have him here.”

Police Explain Their Actions in Brandon Durham’s Shooting

In a press briefing, Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren described the situation as complex and stated that officers must make split-second decisions. “That’s very important for all of us to understand because we have the luxury… but our officers, unfortunately, it’s a very challenging job that during these types of incidents, they don’t have the ability to stop time and stop a video and get a still and spend minutes let alone hours or days or months analyzing that information to make that decision,” Koren said. He emphasized the challenges law enforcement faces in such high-pressure situations.

When asked why the officer fired the additional rounds, Koren explained that officers are often required to make quick decisions based on their perception of threats, adding, “it wasn’t appropriate” to speculate on the specifics of the situation.

Koren also revealed that, despite Durham’s 911 call stating that there were guns involved, no firearms were recovered at the scene. Instead, two knives were found, leading to questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Investigation Into Brandon Durham’s Death Continues

The investigation into Durham’s death is ongoing, with Metro Police still working to piece together the details of the confrontation. Authorities have indicated that Durham and Boudreaux were likely acquainted and that the break-in was not a random act of violence.

However, the police’s actions have sparked widespread debate. The video released by Metro Police showing the officers arriving at Durham’s home raised questions about whether proper procedures were followed. The shooting death of an innocent man who called 911 for help has led to public outcry and calls for greater accountability and police training.

Community Reacts to Police Shooting of Brandon Durham

The loss of Brandon Durham has created an emotional void for his family and community. He was not only a father to Isabella and a 13-year-old stepson, Branden, but also a dedicated realtor, chef, and loving partner to Rachael Gore.

A GoFundMe page started for Durham’s family reads, “Brandon was a loving and dedicated family man who worked hard to provide a stable, happy life for his family. His sudden passing has created an unimaginable void in their lives, compounded by the circumstances of his death.”

The Durham family has called for justice, with many questioning whether the police officer’s actions were justified. As the investigation continues, the community is left grappling with the tragic loss of a man who only sought help in a time of need.

The Path Forward: What’s Next for the Durham Family and the Investigation?

As this case continues to unfold, the question remains: Was Brandon Durham truly the victim of a tragic mistake, or did the police respond appropriately to a volatile situation? With conflicting perspectives from law enforcement and Durham’s family, this case raises broader concerns about police training, racial bias, and the use of force in tense situations.

As reported by PEOPLE, Boudreaux remains jailed after being taken into police custody. She now faces four charges: home invasion with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon (domestic violence), child abuse, neglect, or endangerment, and performance of an act in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons resulting in death.

For now, Brandon Durham’s family is left to mourn their loss, while demanding answers from the authorities responsible for his untimely death.

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