Rep. Susie Lee Statement on Officer-Involved Shootings During Last Night’s Las Vegas Protests

Las Vegas, Nev.– U.S. Rep. Susie Lee released the following statement in response to two separate incidents involving Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officer shootings during local protests in the Las Vegas valley:

"I am praying for a speedy recovery for the LVMPD officer shot and critically injured during last night's protests. My heart is with their family, friends, and the LVMPD community. This deadly targeting of a police officer is despicable, and the assailant must be brought to justice. In a separate incident, a heavily armed assailant wearing body armor was killed by law enforcement. Let's be clear: this was not a protester, but a violent criminal, and law enforcement was able to act quickly to prevent any escalation in violence from this individual.

"Our immediate goal as a country, a state, and a city in Las Vegas must be to safely prevent violence, while still respecting our constitutional right to peacefully protest. We must remember that a peaceful society requires law enforcement to respect the Americans they are sworn to protect, and vice versa. We must also remember the true purpose of these nation-wide protests, and that is shedding light on the disproportionate treatment of Black Americans within the criminal justice system and the systemic racism that has existed in our country for centuries. Addressing systemic inequality requires a systemic response. That means each of us must work together in good faith and with compassion and cooperation. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress and local and state leaders to begin the process of healing that we desperately need."