In the early morning hours of October 13, 2022, a domestic disturbance call led to the tragic death of 49-year-old Asian male, Truong Thai, a veteran police officer with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The incident unfolded around 1 a.m. near the area of South University Center Drive and East Flamingo Road.
Officer Thai, along with his partner Officer Ryan Gillihan, responded to a call from a woman who reported being beaten by her husband, 24-year-old Tyson Hampton.
Upon arrival, Officer Thai approached Hampton's vehicle and instructed him to place his hands on the steering wheel. Initially compliant, Hampton then reached toward the passenger side of the car. A brief struggle ensued as Thai attempted to remove Hampton from the vehicle, but Hampton managed to drive away. As he fled, Hampton fired 18 rounds from what was described as an "AK-47 pistol" through his driver's side window.
A bullet from Hampton's firearm penetrated Officer Thai's ballistic vest, striking him in the torso. Even after being mortally wounded, Thai managed to return fire, discharging five rounds at the suspect. Hampton's mother-in-law, who was also present at the scene, sustained a non-life-threatening injury during the shootout. Officer Thai was rushed to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Following the shooting, a pursuit ensued, and with the assistance of a Metro K-9 unit, Tyson Hampton was taken into custody. Investigators found two firearms in his vehicle. Hampton now faces multiple felony charges, including murder, attempted murder, and domestic battery. He is being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center.
