LAS VEGAS – Las Vegas Police have released a graphic and startling video showing a 93-year-old man walking into the office of his apartment complex and opening fire, wounding a man.
Robert Thomas, who lives at the Vista Del Valle residences near the Las Vegas strip, is now facing several charges, including attempted murder with a deadly weapon. The crime took place last Thursday.
Thomas was “upset at the management because of water damage and flooding within his apartment.” As a result, he fired off three rounds in the leasing office of the complex. The victim was struck twice, according to Assistant Sheriff Brett Zimmerman.
Robert Thomas, 93, is now facing multiple charges following the shooting last Thursday. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)
The surveillance footage shows Thomas talking with a man before reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out a Glock 9mm handgun, police said. The man was identified by the Las Vegas Review Journal as a maintenance worker.
A woman at a desk next to the pair called police and told dispatchers that Thomas was “making verbal threats” – which they could hear at the other end of the phone line, Zimmerman said.
At one point, Thomas fired a round through a computer inside the office, police say. The woman then convinced Thomas to let her leave the building, according to Zimmerman.
After the woman stepped outside, police said the surveillance footage showed Thomas firing one shot at the man, who collapsed to the ground writhing in pain.
Thomas later stood over him, extending his arm and firing a second round at him, according to Zimmerman.
Thomas fired three shots in total during the incident, police say. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)
Shortly after the last round was fired, officers arrested him, Fox News reported.
Zimmerman told reporters Monday that a responding officer fired one round at Thomas, shattering a glass door. It went through the lapel of Thomas’ jacket without penetrating his body.
The officer is heard in bodycam footage ordering Thomas to drop his gun, which he did. Thomas cut his head as he was being taken into custody, according to Zimmerman.
The victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Both he and Thomas were taken to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries and were later released.
Thomas, who prior to last week had no criminal record, is now charged with attempted murder with a deadly weapon, kidnapping with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm within a structure, burglary with a firearm and carrying a concealed weapon, Zimmerman said.
The 93-year-old man is being held Tuesday at the Clark County Detention Center, with his bail set at $25,000.
