NLV police release video footage in Legacy shooting involving an officer

Video footage shows the situation that unfolded when an armed man who police have said shot at hall monitors on the Legacy High School campus was fired upon by a North Las Vegas officer.

The gunman then shot himself in the head, police have said.

Body camera and aerial video clips of the May 14 incident that were released Thursday by the North Las Vegas Police Department showed the man in the video, identified by police as Jallel Jenkins-Harris, 21, falling to the ground, a handgun flying out of his hand, after the self-inflicted shooting. Police blurred out the portion of the footage that appears to show Jenkins-Harris shooting himself on the campus between a baseball field and a set of tennis courts.

The videos were part of what the Police Department refers to as a Critical Incident Briefing, which was released Thursday. Instead of a news briefing held in front of reporters, as is the case with the Metropolitan Police Department after shootings involving police officers, police in North Las Vegas typically release such briefings in a video sent by email. Thursday’s briefing featured a pre-recorded video with police spokesperson officer Roberto Vaquera describing the incident, as well as police body camera footage and photographs.

“This information reflects what we know at this stage of the investigation,” Vaquera said in the video.

According to Vaquera, Jenkins-Harris, 21, had fired a shot in the direction of two hall monitors who were outside the school, which is on Deer Springs Way, near North Fifth Street and the northern 215 Beltway.

Vaquera said North Las Vegas officer Manuel Vital saw Jenkins-Harris approaching one of the main school buildings and fired two shots from his rifle at him. Jenkins-Harris was not hit.

Seconds later, Vaquera said, Jenkins-Harris turned the Glock 9 mm handgun he was holding on himself.

He was taken to University Medical Center, where he was later listed in stable condition, Vaquera said. Jenkins-Harris was charged with multiple felonies.

An arrest report said the incident began after North Las Vegas police were first called to a Target store, at 7090 N. Fifth St., for a report of a man concealing items in a black backpack.

According to the arrest report and Vaquera’s video account, Jenkins-Harris fled through the store’s rear doors and pointed a handgun at a police sergeant who was sitting in his patrol vehicle.

“The officer repeatedly told Jenkins-Harris to stop and drop the firearm, however, he ignored those commands and continued westbound,” Vaquera said.

Vaquera said Jenkins-Harris fled to a nearby neighborhood, where he “entered multiple residential properties,” according to Vaquera. He was then spotted by a Metro police helicopter pilot at the high school, according to the arrest report.

Jenkins-Harris, police said, had been released from jail the morning of the shooting. Vaquera said Jenkins-Harris has been arrested by North Las Vegas or Metro police over 20 times.

Vital, who was hired by the North Las Vegas Police Department in 2006, has been placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation into the incident continues.

If you’re thinking about suicide, or are worried about a friend or loved one, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting the Lifeline network at 988. Live chat is available at 988lifeline.org. Additionally, the Crisis Text Line is a free, national service available 24/7. Text HOME to 741741.