By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• A Nevada Highway Patrol trooper fired a single round into a vehicle after a woman pointed a gun at troopers during a traffic stop on Interstate 15 in Las Vegas early Sunday, officials said.
• The woman initially refused to exit the vehicle and threatened “I will shoot,” according to body-worn camera footage released by authorities.
• The trooper fired after the woman raised her handgun and a large dog from the vehicle lunged toward officers.
• The woman was taken to a hospital and then into custody, and she faces felony and misdemeanor charges.
LAS VEGAS, NV — A Nevada Highway Patrol trooper fired one round into a vehicle early Sunday after a woman pointed a handgun at troopers during a traffic stop on an Interstate 15 on-ramp, Nevada officials said.
Just before 1 a.m., troopers stopped the woman’s vehicle at the St. Rose Parkway on-ramp for allegedly running a red light, Nevada Highway Patrol Col. Michael Edgell said. The woman repeatedly ignored commands to exit the vehicle.
Body-worn camera footage released by officials shows the woman holding a firearm and threatening “I will shoot” before a dog inside the vehicle lunged toward troopers. The trooper then fired a round that entered through the driver’s side window and windshield.
After the shot, the woman dropped the weapon and raised her hands. She was transported to a hospital with minor injuries, including scratches, and was later taken into custody.
The woman, identified in court records as 51-year-old Barbara Lu, was charged with assault on a protected person with a deadly weapon, resisting with a firearm, driving under the influence, running a red light and improper parking, officials said.
A loaded 9 mm pistol was found in the vehicle, and animal control took custody of two dogs found inside. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is leading an ongoing investigation.