Jeremias Cruz, 30

Las Vegas, Nevada
May 19, 2016

Agencies: North Las Vegas Police Department Nevada

Cause of death: Shooting


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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

Jeremias Cruz, a casino security guard was shot and killed by North Las Vegas police after apparently beating another employee of the casino to death.

According to police, before the beating, Cruz was picking fights with other employees, He singled out one employee for unknown reasons, and silently led him outside, behind the casino.

It was there that Cruz beat Velasquez as others called 911. Another security guard tried to intervene, but Cruz attacked him, too, police said. That guard escaped without serious injury.Before officers arrived, the other employee had died from severe trauma to the neck and head, the coroner’s office ruled.

When police confronted Cruz in one of the casino’s nearby storage rooms, police said he ignored commands. In the store room, Cruz charged officers, Cavaricci said. One officer shocked him with a Taser, but Cruz wasn’t fazed.

Officer Rodrigo Delara, 22, fired multiple shots, killing Cruz. Delara had been on the North Las Vegas force for a year and three months and was immediately placed on paid leave.

This was the first officer-involved shooting this year for North Las Vegas police, who do not wear body cameras.