By MICHELLE RINDELS and MARTIN GRIFFITH
Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Two suspects shot and killed two police officers in an ambush at a Las Vegas restaurant Sunday before fatally shooting a third person and killing themselves inside a nearby Walmart, authorities said.
A man and woman walked into CiCi’s Pizza and shot at point-blank range Officers Alyn Beck, 42, and Igor Soldo, 32, who were eating lunch, Las Vegas police officials said. One of the officers was able to fire back before he died, but it’s unclear if the suspects were hit, Sheriff Doug Gillespie of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department said at a news conference Sunday afternoon.
The suspects then fled to the Walmart across the street, where they fatally shot a person inside the front door and exchanged gunfire with officers before killing themselves in an apparent suicide pact, police said.
The female suspect shot the male suspect before killing herself, Gillespie said. The victim’s identity hasn’t been confirmed, and the suspects’ names haven’t been released. Both officers were taken to the hospital, but it was unclear if they died there or at the scene.
“It’s a tragic day,” Gillespie said. “We have a community to protect, we will do it with our heads held high.”
One of the suspects yelled, “This is a revolution,” but the motive for the shooting remains under investigation, Las Vegas police spokesman Larry Hadfield told The Associated Press. He added that “we don’t know anything about the suspects yet.”
“I am devastated by the news today of two officers and an innocent bystander who were murdered in an act of senseless violence,” Gov. Brian Sandoval said in a statement. “My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.”
Clark County Assistant Sheriff Kevin McMahill said the male suspect yelled “everyone get out” before shooting at Walmart. The suspects then walked to the back of the store.
Walmart employees and shoppers were taken to a nearby clothing store to be interviewed by police. The restaurant and Walmart remained closed as detectives processed evidence. McMahill said the investigation is “very complex” because it involves more than 1,000 witnesses.
Walmart issued a statement saying it’s working with police on the investigation.
“We express our deepest condolences to everyone who has been affected by this senseless act of violence,” company spokesman Brooke Buchanan said.
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Martin reported from Reno, Nev.
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