A Nevada Highway Patrol trooper fired a shot into a vehicle after the driver pointed a gun and stated, “I will shoot,” during a traffic stop in Las Vegas, according to a Highway Patrol official who presented body camera footage of the incident on Wednesday.
Barbara Lu, 51, of Montana, was taken into custody just before 1 a.m. On Sunday, February 8, on an Interstate 15 on-ramp at St. Rose Parkway. She had been pulled over after running a red light, stated Highway Patrol Colonel Michael Edgell.
The trooper’s body camera footage showed the moment the shot was fired, as well as the events leading up to and following it. The bullet went through the driver’s side window and exited through the windshield.
The video similarly showed a dog from Lu’s vehicle lunging at one of the troopers while Lu, heard screaming in the footage, refused to exit the vehicle, Edgell said.
Dramatic Video
Dashcam video showed two troopers outside Lu’s closed driver’s side door, with one attempting to break the window. Another trooper’s body camera captured audio of an officer stating, “she’s got a gun,” before moving to the back of the vehicle.
Trooper Kenneth Ducut then fired one round. The video showed the flash from Ducut’s weapon. Lu subsequently dropped an object and raised both hands.
Edgell stated he was proud of how the troopers handled the situation. “We never fire a warning shot whatsoever,” he said. “We train our people that you only shoot to stop the threat. She had a gun in her hand and she pointed it at a trooper. She had a gun in her hand when he fired that shot.”
Lu was taken to a local hospital before being taken into custody and sustained scratches on her neck, but was not seriously injured, according to Edgell.
Multiple Charges
Las Vegas Justice Court records indicate Lu faces felony charges of assault on a protected person with utilize of a deadly weapon and resisting with a firearm, as well as misdemeanor charges of DUI, failing to obey a red light, and parking a vehicle on the highway.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Lu was listed as an inmate at the Clark County Detention Center and is scheduled for a preliminary court hearing on February 25.
A search of Lu’s vehicle revealed a loaded Sig Sauer 9 mm pistol, Edgell said. Two dogs were also present in the vehicle and were taken by animal control.
The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the incident, a process Edgell said would likely take several months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the initial traffic stop?
Barbara Lu was pulled over after running a red light at St. Rose Parkway and Interstate 15, according to Highway Patrol Colonel Michael Edgell.
Was the trooper injured during the incident?
No, the trooper was not seriously injured, even though a dog from Lu’s vehicle did lunge at one of the officers.
What charges is Barbara Lu facing?
Lu is facing felony charges of assault on a protected person with use of a deadly weapon and resisting with a firearm, along with misdemeanor charges of DUI, failing to obey a red light, and parking a vehicle on the highway.
Given the ongoing investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department, what factors might influence the final outcome of this case?
