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Vegas Officer Killed Last Week Was Shot with AK Pistol, Penetrated Vest

Officer Truong Thai, 49, was fatally shot after attempting to gain compliance from the suspect, 24-year-old Tyson Hampton, who was sitting in his car on the street.

October 18, 2022
Vegas Officer Killed Last Week Was Shot with AK Pistol, Penetrated Vest

Officer Ryan Gillihan's body camera captured Officer Truong Thai trying to grab the suspect's arm as he apparently reached for the weapon. (Photo: Las Vegas Metro PD/Screen Grab)

The man accused of killing a Las Vegas Metropolitan police officer last week at the scene of a domestic incident fired 18 rounds from an AK-variant pistol, mortally wounding the officer and wounding his mother in-law.  

Officer Truong Thai, 49, was fatally shot after attempting to gain compliance of the suspect, 24-year-old Tyson Hampton, who was sitting in his car on the street as his mother in-law and wife spoke with Officer Ryan Gillihan, police say.

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The two officers responded to the domestic call just before 2 a.m. Thursday.

Both officers fired on the suspect's vehicle as he slowly drove away firing out the driver side window with the AK pistol in one hand, police say.

Officer Thai died that morning in an area hospital.

Suspect Tyson Hampton was taken into custody by Las Vegas Metro officers after a pursuit. (Photo: Las Vegas Metro PD/Screen Shot)

Hampton was pursued and captured. Vegas officers used a PIT maneuver and a K-9 to take him into custody.

The suspect was treated for dog bites and is now being held at the Clark County Jail.

Tyson Hampton faces multiple charges, including murder of a law enforcement officer and attempted murder of multiple people.

Assistant Sheriff Andrew Walsh said Officer Thai was wearing a ballistic vest when he was shot and the 7.62mm round hit him in the side and penetrated the armor.

Las Vegas authorities say Tyson Hampton used this AK-variant pistol to kill Officer Truong Thai. (Photo: Las Vegas Metro PD/Screen Shot)

Officer Thai had served with the Las Vegas Metro PD since 1999.

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