North Las Vegas Police Release Bodycam Video of Deadly Scissors Confrontation After Crash

North Las Vegas police release video of man armed with scissors during shooting – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)

North Las Vegas — Authorities released body camera footage and photographs capturing the chaotic sequence that led to a fatal police shooting on April 29. The incident unfolded after a two-vehicle crash near the intersection of East Gowan Road and North 5th Street, where 31-year-old Khalil Normi Jamal Smith climbed onto the roof of his Ford Flex while holding scissors.[1][2] Officers arrived to find him acting erratically and aggressively toward bystanders. The video shows repeated commands ignored before he charged directly at them.

The Traffic Collision Sets the Stage

Smith drove his Ford Flex into a Nissan Versa carrying a 44-year-old woman and her two children, ages 16 and 13. The family suffered minor injuries and received hospital treatment. Police responded just after 4:30 p.m. to reports of the crash and a man behaving threateningly.[1]

Initial accounts described Smith as armed with a sharp object, later identified through the footage as scissors. He had no prior criminal record in Nevada or national databases. The crash blocked lanes at the busy intersection, drawing quick attention from the North Las Vegas Police Department.

Erratic Behavior Escalates on the Car Roof

Footage from officers Manuel Moreno, hired in 2023, and Donnie Miranda, hired in 2024, reveals Smith atop his damaged vehicle shortly after the collision. He waved the scissors and directed aggression toward people nearby. Officers issued multiple de-escalation orders, demanding he drop the weapon and descend from the roof.[1][3]

Smith disregarded every instruction. His movements grew more unpredictable, heightening the tension at the scene. Bystanders had already retreated as he brandished the scissors openly. This phase, captured clearly in the bodycam, lasted mere moments but underscored the rapid deterioration.

The prolonged standoff on the vehicle roof tested the officers’ patience. Commands echoed repeatedly amid the urban backdrop, with traffic halted nearby. Police emphasized later that de-escalation remained the priority until the sudden shift.

Fatal Charge Prompts Officers’ Fire

Suddenly, Smith leaped from the roof and sprinted toward one of the officers, scissors raised. Bodycam captured the advance in real time. The responding officers discharged their firearms, striking him and forcing him to the ground.[1]

Even wounded, Smith rose multiple times, defying orders to stay down. Additional shots followed each attempt. One officer sustained a minor injury during the exchange. Paramedics arrived swiftly, but his resistance persisted into custody.

Custody, Medical Aid, and Ongoing Probe

Once secured, Smith bit an assisting officer while medical aid was administered on site. He received transport to University Medical Center’s trauma center, where he succumbed to injuries. Had he survived, authorities indicated charges of two counts of attempted murder, battery, and resisting arrest.[1]

The North Las Vegas Police Department placed Moreno and Miranda on paid administrative leave, standard protocol. This marked their first deadly shooting of 2026. Detectives continue preliminary work, with officer identities disclosed after 72 hours per policy. The footage release promotes transparency amid public scrutiny of such encounters.

Releasing the bodycam serves as a window into high-stakes decisions under pressure. As investigators piece together witness statements and evidence, the focus remains on accountability and prevention. North Las Vegas residents await further clarity from the department.