Man accused of ’22 slaying of Metro officer pleads guilty but mentally ill

The man accused of shooting and killing Las Vegas police officer Truong Thai has agreed to plead guilty but mentally ill to dozens of charges, including first-degree murder, according to court records.

Tyson Hampton also agreed to plead guilty but mentally ill to four counts of attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon; two counts of assault with a deadly weapon; battery with use of a deadly weapon resulting in substantial bodily harm; battery constituting domestic violence; 18 counts of discharging a firearm from or within a structure or vehicle; and discharging a firearm at or into an occupied structure or vehicle. Prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty, the plea agreement says.

Authorities said Hampton, 27, shot Thai, 49, on Oct. 13, 2022, as the officer responded to a domestic violence call from Hampton’s wife. Thai, who had been with the Metropolitan Police Department since 1999, was shot in the torso and later died from his injuries.

Hampton’s sentencing is scheduled for June 18.

In October, Hampton was found competent to stand trial, according to court records. District Judge Christy Craig ruled that Hampton was “capable of understanding the nature” of his charges and was “able to assist counsel” in his defense, according to court minutes.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal previously reported that Hampton has undergone multiple competency evaluations since 2024.

Hampton’s lawyer, Lance Maningo, said prior that his client had a history of mental health issues that had gone untreated, though he did not challenge the October competency determination of Hampton.

Neither Maningo nor the Clark County district attorney’s office could be immediately reached for comment.