Las Vegas Police Shooting Shocks Community: 43-Year-Old Father Killed by Officer During 911 Call He Made to Report Home Invasion, Amid a Struggle with Woman Allegedly Involved in Break-In—Details Reveal Complex Domestic Incident

Las Vegas Police Shooting Shocks Community: 43-Year-Old Father Killed by Officer During 911 Call He Made to Report Home Invasion, Amid a Struggle with Woman Allegedly Involved in Break-In—Details Reveal Complex Domestic Incident”

Las Vegas, Nevada — November 15, 2024

In a tragic and highly controversial incident, 43-year-old Brandon Durham was fatally shot by a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer early Tuesday morning, following his own 911 call reporting a home invasion. The incident unfolded around 12:40 a.m. in the 6900 block of Wine River Drive, near Sunset Park and south of Harry Reid International Airport, as Durham allegedly struggled with an intruder inside his home. The woman, identified as 31-year-old Alejandra Boudreaux, is now facing multiple felony charges. The community and family members are demanding answers as questions linger over the circumstances surrounding Durham’s death and the police response.

Timeline of the Incident: A Night that Turned Tragic

The chain of events that led to the shooting began with multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire and chaos at the suburban home. According to Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren, Brandon Durham was among the first to call 911, explaining to dispatchers that two individuals had broken into his home, which he shared with his 15-year-old daughter. He described the immediate danger, relaying that the intruders had already caused significant damage to his property.

According to police, when officers arrived, they observed extensive signs of forced entry: the windows of two vehicles parked in the driveway had been shattered, along with several windows of the house itself. From inside the residence, officers heard the sound of a physical altercation and screams, adding to the urgency of the situation. Officer Alexander Bookman, a 26-year-old who had been with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for three years, quickly assessed the scene and, determining the potential threat level, forced his way into the home by kicking down the front door.

Inside the Home: Confrontation Leads to Fatal Shots

Once inside, Officer Bookman encountered a scene of heightened tension. Brandon Durham was reportedly engaged in a violent struggle with a woman holding a knife—later identified as Alejandra Boudreaux. According to police accounts, Boudreaux and Durham were wrestling over the weapon, and Bookman repeatedly issued commands to both individuals to drop the knife. When these orders went unheeded, Bookman discharged his weapon six times, striking Durham multiple times. Boudreaux, though in close proximity to Durham, was not struck.

Durham was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. The Clark County coroner’s office later confirmed the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds. Police stated they had recovered two knives from the scene but did not find any firearms, despite earlier reports of gunfire. The investigation has not yet clarified who initially brought the knives into the home or whether there had been previous incidents involving weapons at the residence.

Revelations About the Relationship Between Durham and Boudreaux

As the investigation unfolded, police revealed that the relationship between Durham and Boudreaux appeared to be more complex than initially thought. According to Assistant Sheriff Koren, investigators believe Durham and Boudreaux may have had a prior domestic relationship, though the nature and duration of this relationship remain under review. No clear motive for Boudreaux’s alleged break-in has been confirmed by authorities, but the ongoing investigation aims to determine the circumstances that led to the confrontation.

Boudreaux now faces multiple serious charges, including one count of home invasion with a deadly weapon, one count of child abuse, and one count of assault with a deadly weapon. Authorities have confirmed that Durham’s 15-year-old daughter was inside the home during the incident, heightening concerns about the traumatic impact on her.

The Role of Officer Bookman and Police Protocol in the Shooting

Officer Alexander Bookman’s role in the incident has sparked intense public scrutiny, raising questions about the police response and the use of deadly force. Bookman, who has served with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department since 2021, had no prior disciplinary record or history of complaints related to excessive force. According to the department, Bookman acted in accordance with police protocol, responding to an escalating situation involving a potentially armed suspect in close quarters with a civilian.

Despite this, community members, advocates, and Durham’s family are questioning whether alternative methods could have been employed to de-escalate the situation. Family members, in particular, are seeking clarity on the decision to use lethal force, especially given Durham’s status as the original 911 caller. Attorney Michael Torres, representing Durham’s family, announced plans to pursue an independent investigation. “Brandon was a father and a protector who called for help in a time of danger,” Torres said. “His family deserves answers about why his call for help ended in his death.”

Community Outcry and Call for Accountability

The incident has ignited a wave of community reaction, with residents of Las Vegas and civil rights organizations calling for a transparent investigation. Multiple advocacy groups, including the Nevada Justice Association and Las Vegas NAACP chapter, have issued statements urging the department to review its protocols for domestic incident responses and to consider alternative tactics for handling situations involving potential weapons.

Advocates argue that Durham’s death underscores systemic issues in police training and response strategies, particularly in cases where the victim may also be involved in a chaotic or potentially violent encounter. “This is yet another instance where a person in distress called for help, and the outcome was tragic,” said LaToya Hampton, an organizer with the Nevada Justice Association. “We need to ensure that our police officers are equipped to assess complex situations without defaulting to deadly force.”

A vigil was organized near Durham’s residence, drawing community members who left flowers and messages in his memory. The vigil was attended by friends, neighbors, and local leaders who spoke about the need for unity in seeking justice for Durham and reforming police procedures.

The Impact on Durham’s Family and a Community in Mourning

For Durham’s family, the loss has been particularly devastating, as his daughter was present during the incident and witnessed parts of the confrontation. Family members shared that Durham was a loving father, deeply devoted to his daughter and their life together. Friends describe him as a dedicated and hardworking man who had overcome personal challenges and was known for his strong sense of loyalty to those close to him.

Durham’s brother, Anthony Durham, spoke at a news conference organized by the family’s legal team, expressing disbelief and sorrow over his brother’s death. “Brandon wasn’t just my brother—he was my best friend. We shared everything,” he said. “He did everything for his daughter. That’s why he called for help, to protect her. And now she has to live with this nightmare for the rest of her life.”

Neighbors also mourned the loss, recalling Durham as a friendly and helpful figure in the community. Lisa Graham, who lives a few houses down, said, “Brandon was the kind of person who would always lend a hand if you needed something. I still can’t believe this happened right here, in our neighborhood.”

Legal and Procedural Next Steps: What Happens Now?

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has confirmed that an internal review is underway to determine whether the actions of Officer Bookman were consistent with departmental policies and protocols. The department’s Force Investigation Team, a specialized unit tasked with assessing use-of-force incidents, is leading the review. Officer Bookman has been placed on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Additionally, the Clark County District Attorney’s Office will conduct its own inquiry to evaluate whether any criminal charges are warranted. This separate review will focus on whether Officer Bookman’s use of force was legally justified under Nevada law, which allows law enforcement to use deadly force if they reasonably believe there is an imminent threat to their own life or the lives of others.

Civil rights attorneys have voiced concerns about transparency and are calling for public access to body camera footage and 911 call recordings. Attorney Michael Torres stated that the family will be filing a formal request for the release of this evidence to the public. “We believe that full disclosure is the only way to provide a fair assessment of what happened,” Torres said.

A Spotlight on Police Training and Domestic Incident Response Protocols

The fatal shooting of Brandon Durham has highlighted broader questions about how police departments train officers to handle domestic disturbances and complex home invasion situations. Experts in law enforcement procedures have noted that domestic incidents are among the most dangerous and unpredictable calls for police officers to handle, often involving high emotional tension, potentially armed individuals, and, at times, overlapping victim-offender dynamics.

In recent years, some departments have begun implementing alternative response training, which emphasizes de-escalation tactics, non-lethal interventions, and situational assessment before entering potentially volatile settings. A growing number of advocates are calling for Las Vegas law enforcement to adopt these methods to reduce the risk of deadly encounters.

Conclusion: A Tragic Incident Raises Broader Questions for the Las Vegas Community

As Las Vegas mourns Brandon Durham, his death has underscored the urgent need for answers and accountability in cases where police intervention escalates into tragedy. For his family, friends, and a community united in grief, Durham’s legacy now represents a rallying cry for transparency, justice, and change in police protocols surrounding domestic incidents.

Durham’s family and legal representatives have vowed to pursue all available avenues to ensure that his death is thoroughly investigated and that those responsible are held accountable. In the meantime, they hope that his story will bring attention to the complexities of police intervention and inspire meaningful reforms to protect lives in situations where people, like Durham, seek help during their most vulnerable moments.