Brandon Durham, 43, called 911 early on November 12, 2023, to report what he believed was a home invasion. He told the operator he could hear people firing guns outside his house and confirmed he was inside with his 15-year-old daughter, locking himself in the bathroom for safety. Little did he know, this desperate call for help would lead to his tragic death.
This incident unfolded around 12:40 AM when police responded to Durham's residence on Wine River Drive. Upon arrival, officers encountered chaos, hearing screams and seeing broken vehicles parked outside. What they found inside changed everything: they broke down the door to discover Durham engaged in a violent struggle with Alejandra Boudreaux, 31, who had entered his home with a knife. The situation escalated quickly, and Officer Alexander Bookman, 26, discharged his weapon, fatally shooting Durham.
Body camera footage from the responding officers captured the moments leading to the shooting. Bookman shouted "drop the knife" as he entered the scene, but amid the confusion, he shot at Durham multiple times—an act his family would later argue was both excessive and unjustified. Boudreaux, miraculously unscathed, was arrested and now faces several charges, including home invasion with a deadly weapon and domestic violence.
This tragic event has left many questions unanswered, especially among Durham's family and friends. His loved ones quickly condemned the actions of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, insisting the officer failed to de-escalate the situation. Rachael Gore, Durham’s partner who described herself as his wife, expressed her disbelief: "The one who calls the police and says, 'help me' should never be the one to be shot."
Durham's sister, Diane Wright, echoed this sentiment, calling for accountability and transparency, emphasizing the injustice of the situation: "What colors are you looking at? Not the colors of the clothes you're looking at, the color of the skin and that's why he's dead." Their grief is compounded by the painful reality of losing a devoted father, husband, and friend who was well-loved by those around him.
Meanwhile, authorities are conducting dual investigations: one internal through the police department to analyze the officer’s actions, and another by the Clark County District Attorney's office, which will decide if criminal charges are needed against Officer Bookman. These investigations are standard protocol but offer little immediate comfort to the grieving family.
From the time of the incident, family members have been vocal about their frustration with law enforcement. They are adamant about wanting justice for Durham, who was merely trying to protect his daughter and himself from what he perceived as imminent danger. The family’s attorney, David Chesnoff, stressed the importance of accountability, stating, "We are seeking to understand how something this tragic could happen when he was trying to do the right thing by calling for help."
This heartbreaking incident sheds light on broader issues within police response protocols, something voiced by former Clark County District Attorney David Roger, who suggested there is often confusion over whether police actions are within policy or criminal. His comments suggest the need for clearer guidelines and training to avoid tragedies like this one.
Eyewitness accounts indicate Boudreaux may have had ulterior motives for the break-in; reports suggest she sought to provoke the police, possibly aiming for what is often termed "suicide by cop." This disturbing possibility complicates the narrative surrounding this already tragic situation. Meanwhile, already strained police-community relations are likely to feel the reverberations of Durham's death.
Durham's family has set up a GoFundMe page to support his daughter, who now must navigate life without her father. Friends of Durham have shared their shock and grief, remembering him as a loving father and dedicated worker. "He was the kind of person who lit up the room upon entering—it’s so hard to think he’s gone," said his close friend Branden Cinquegrani, encapsulating the sizable ripple of loss felt throughout the community.
Durham’s community has rallied behind his family, demanding justice and answers as they come to terms with this senseless tragedy. What they seek transcends closure; they desire accountability. And as investigations continue and the ramifications of this incident expand, the calls for reevaluation of police practices seem inevitable. This story of loss, urgency, and fight for justice reflects realities many families face, raising poignant questions about accountability and the often fragile trust between communities and those sworn to protect them.
