Las Vegas, Nevada — In a civil trial unfolding in Las Vegas, police officers provided testimony that aligned with previous accounts surrounding the fatal shooting of Jorge Gomez, a protester associated with the Black Lives Matter movement. Gomez, 25, was shot and killed by officers on the third night of protests following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. The incident took place near the federal courthouse in downtown Las Vegas.
The Clark County District Attorney’s Office decided not to file criminal charges against the four officers involved in the shooting: Ryan Fryman, Dan Emerton, Andrew Locher, and Vernon Ferguson. However, the Gomez family’s civil lawsuit against the officers and the Metropolitan Police Department has continued, leading to the current proceedings.
During testimony, Officers Fryman and Emerton described a chaotic scene where Gomez allegedly pointed a rifle at their direction. Emerton noted that he was chasing Gomez and saw him raise the weapon, which sparked fears for his safety as well as that of nearby individuals. He recalled firing four shots within a span of two seconds, driven by the perceived threat.
The situation escalated when another officer had discharged a beanbag shotgun at Gomez before the shooting, which, according to plaintiffs’ attorney Dale Galipo, triggered Gomez’s flight response. Emerton testified he believed Gomez was in a hazardous position, adding, “The weapon turned in my direction and I saw the muzzle coming toward me.” Without an immediate threat, he indicated he might not have acted as he did.
Fryman, who held the rank of sergeant at the time, shared his confusion during the incident, stating he did not recognize that the initial shots he heard were from a less-lethal weapon. He testified he believed Gomez was firing at the police and was caught off guard by the rapid developments. “We’re talking about less than two seconds for the whole thing,” Fryman explained. Both officers agreed that had Gomez not aimed a weapon, their responses would have differed significantly.
Another officer, Nicholas Sylvia, was also present but did not discharge his weapon. Sylvia stated he observed Gomez running but lost sight of him after he crossed the courthouse steps. His perspective, blocked by a vehicle, prevented him from confirming whether Gomez aimed the rifle.
The case has gained significant attention amidst ongoing debates about policing and the use of force during protests. With the officers maintaining their accounts while the family disputes these claims, the trial is poised to shed further light on the highly contentious events surrounding Gomez’s shooting.