On an October night in 2014, the life of 28-year-old Al Jarreau Cross, a Black male, came to a sudden and violent end in a desert area in North Las Vegas. The events leading to his death began when two police officers, Shane Forsberg and David Wells, attempted to pull over the white BMW sedan Cross was driving for traffic violations, including running a stop sign and having an extinguished license plate light.
Instead of stopping, Cross accelerated, leading the officers on a brief chase.
The pursuit ended when Cross abandoned his vehicle in the driveway of a residence on Miller Avenue and fled on foot. Officer Forsberg gave chase on foot, while Officer Wells attempted to cut Cross off in their unmarked patrol car. As Forsberg closed in, Cross ran into a desert lot off Carey Avenue. There, the situation escalated dramatically. Cross, who had a Taser in his hand, was confronted by Cross, who then pulled out a 9mm semi-automatic pistol and opened fire on the officer. Forsberg was struck four times in his lower extremities. Despite his injuries, the officer was able to take cover and return fire.
By this time, Officer Wells had arrived at the scene and also began firing at Cross. In the exchange of gunfire, Cross was shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Officer Forsberg was transported to University Medical Center with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and ultimately made a full recovery. An investigation following the incident revealed that the handgun Cross used had been reported stolen in a home invasion the previous year. It was also discovered that Cross had a criminal record, including convictions for assault with a deadly weapon.
The Clark County District Attorney's Office conducted a review of the fatal shooting and determined that the actions of Officers Forsberg and Wells were legally justified and that they would not face any criminal charges. A public fact-finding review was held in April 2015, where details of the investigation were presented. A toxicology report revealed that Cross had high levels of THC, the active component in marijuana, as well as a prescription muscle relaxant and an asthma medication in his system at the time of his death. The investigation concluded that the officers acted in self-defense and in defense of others, as Cross posed an immediate threat when he began firing at them.
