Las Vegas killers were 'anti-police'

 

Married couple who shot dead two officers and a bystander in Las Vegas acted out of hatred for the police and the government, authorities say.


Suspects Jerad Miller, 31, and wife Amanda Miller, 22, who died at the scene, viewed law enforcement as "oppressors", said police.

Officers are investigating whether they were at Cliven Bundy's Nevada ranch during a stand-off earlier this year.

The couple left a swastika and a "Don't tread on me" flag on the dead officers.

"We believe that they equate government and law enforcement fascism with Nazis," Clark County Assistant Sheriff Kevin McMahill told reporters.

"In other words they believe law enforcement is the oppressor."


He added that he thought it was an isolated act.

According to witness and police accounts, the two suspects entered Cici's Pizza restaurant about 11:30 local time (18:30 GMT) on Sunday, where Officers Alyn Beck, 41, and Igor Soldo, 31, were having lunch.

The suspects shouted, "This is a revolution", then shot the officers. One managed to return fire, but it was unclear whether his shots struck the assailants.

The officers were killed, and the suspects placed swastikas and a flag - known as a Gadsden flag - with Don't Tread On Me written on it over their bodies.

 

Then, the suspects moved on to a Walmart store nearby, where they shot dead a man identified as 31-year-old Joseph Wilcox. Mr Wilcox was carrying a concealed firearm and had attempted to intervene before he was shot, authorities said.

Las Vegas police officers swarmed to the Walmart and surrounded it, exchanging gunfire with the suspect

The rampage ended when Mrs Miller - said to be suffering a gunshot wound - shot dead Mr Miller, then killed herself.

"Their only avenue was to take their own lives," Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie said on Monday.

Police have not officially indicated what the motive could be, but are exploring a potential link to right-wing militia and white supremacist ideology.

They are also investigating whether the couple were at the scene of a standoff with government agents at a Nevada cattle ranch linked to Cliven Bundy earlier this year.

Mr Bundy was protesting against government attempts to round up cattle he was illegally grazing on federal land,

Neighbours of the couple have told reporters the two had a reputation for spouting racist, anti-government view