Las Vegas Metropolitan Police are refusing to disclose the outcome of an internal investigation into Officer Al Beas’ New Year’s Eve accidental discharge of a police rifle on the Las Vegas Strip.
A bystander was grazed by the bullet from the semi-automatic rifle, but because the shooting was accidental, not a use-of-force, the public is not entitled to information.
Beas is one of several Metro cops alleged in affidavits to have had sex with prostitutes. He was demoted from Vice Detective to patrol officer.
Beas was helping to remove road barriers when his weapon fired. Firearms experts question why he had a round of ammunition in the chamber at the time of the shooting.
Metro spokesman Larry Hadfield said the results of the investigation are confidential under Nevada law. Hadfield refused to address information received by the Current that Beas lacked the certification to carry the weapon.
It was the second accidental discharge by a Metro officer within three months.
An unidentified officer accidentally fired a shot while gathering evidence in the hotel room belonging to Stephen Paddock, who killed 58 people by shooting out the window of the Mandalay Bay.
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