POLICE Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

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)

1 min to read


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.

Ad Loading...

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.

Ad Loading...

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.

Ad Loading...

More Patrol

Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactic & TIps against a black background and an illuminated police car light bar. Headline for Tips for Watching the Hands
Sponsoredby Wayne ParhamDecember 5, 2025

Tips for Watching the Hands

How can officers better “watch the hands”? Mike Willis, Law Enforcement National Training and Program Director for the US Deputy Sheriff's Association, shares some tips.

Read More →
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips with yellow headline 10 Tips for Felony/High-Risk Stops.
Sponsoredby Wayne ParhamDecember 3, 2025

10 Tips for Felony/High-Risk Stops

What steps can officers take to stay safer during felony or high-risk vehicle stops? Here are 10 tips from Mike Willis, Law Enforcement National Training and Program Director for the US Deputy Sheriff's Association.

Read More →
Screenshot of compute screen showing a blurred license plate compared to an image where the image has been enhanced to show the numbers and letters.
Patrolby Edited by StaffNovember 25, 2025

Amped Highlights Power Behind Amped FIVE Software

Amped FIVE empowers you to advance your investigations with confidence and precision, from the crime scene all the way to the courtroom.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Background orange tinted image of southern California with pushpin marking Burbank. Headline reads K-9 Killed by Gunman, Burbank Police Department
PatrolNovember 24, 2025

Police K-9 Killed, Suspect Dies in Shootout with Cops

A Burbank Police Department K-9 was fatally shot over the weekend by a passenger who fled on foot from a traffic stop. The armed suspect was killed in a shootout with officers.

Read More →
Thumbnail image with blue and red police lights against a black background, large POLICE logo, headline for From the Show Floor: InVeris
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 23, 2025

From the Show Floor: InVeris

In this video, learn about how InVeris provides training to law enforcement, including customized augmented reality scenarios. The augmented reality system can scan up to 10,000 square feet of real-life environments and create a curriculum based on those spaces.

Read More →
Thumbnail image for video series POLICE From the Show Floor featuring Polaris Government & Defense.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 19, 2025

From the Show Floor: Polaris Government & Defense

Learn about Polaris Government & Defense in this video as POLICE visits their show booth to discover their side-by-sides and the advantages they provide for agencies.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
2026 ford police brochure
SponsoredNovember 17, 2025

2026 Ford Pro™ Police & Special Service Vehicles Guide is Available for Download

Ford Pro™ meets the needs of law-enforcement agencies

Read More →
black background width image of police lights in middle and headline Dashcam Video Officers rescue Man from Burning Car
PatrolNovember 17, 2025

Dashcam Video Shows Officers Rescue Man from Burning Car

Dashcam video released by a New Jersey police department shows two of its officers rescuing an unconscious man from a burning car after a crash.

Read More →
blue background with image of a red dot sight and also second image of the red dot on a handgun lower right
PatrolNovember 17, 2025

Aimpoint COA optic + A-CUT Named Red Dot of the Year

The Aimpoint COA optic + A-CUT system has been named Red Dot of the Year by Guns & Ammo magazine. The new optic system was introduced in January 2025.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Thumbnail for video series POLICE From the Show Floor, with headline text featuring Axon
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 16, 2025

From the Show Floor: Axon

Join POLICE as we visit with Abi Stock, of Axon, to learn about the company’s latest technology offerings, such as Axon Assistant, Form One, and the DFR integration with Skydio.

Read More →