Clark County Public Fact-Finding Review into the Death of Kyle Norris - April 15, 2026
Clark County Public Fact-Finding Review into the Death of Kyle Norris - April 15, 2026
The Clark County District Attorney's Office convened a public fact-finding review on April 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM, following a preliminary determination that no criminal prosecution of the officers involved in the death of Kyle Norris is appropriate. The proceeding, required by Clark County Ordinance Chapter 2.12, presented the essential facts surrounding the death of Mr. Norris, who was fatally shot by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Officer Samuel Garcia on September 20, 2024. The review was presided over by a hearing officer, with Chief Deputy District Attorney Banu Pala presenting the state's case, and Michael Torriano appointed as ombudsman representing both the public and the Norris family.
Summary of Incident
On September 20, 2024, at approximately 0910 hours, LVMPD responded to a call at 5145 Rawhide Street regarding a suspicious person attempting to open car doors. The subject, Kyle Norris (age 42), had earlier met two civilians via a dating app, acted erratically, threatened one civilian, and was asked to leave. Officers arrived and attempted to detain Norris, who retrieved a metal baseball bat from his vehicle. Despite multiple commands to drop the bat, Norris raised it above his head and advanced toward officers. Officer Palmira and Sergeant Quintero deployed their ECDs (tasers), which were ineffective. Officer Garcia then fired two rounds from his service weapon, striking Norris. Norris died from gunshot wounds to the chest; an autopsy listed the manner of death as homicide. Officers provided medical aid until paramedics arrived. Toxicology reported high levels of methamphetamine in Norris's system.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public submitted written questions during the review.
Discussion Items
- Detective Mark Cologne of LVMPD's Force Investigation Team testified that the investigation gathered evidence, conducted interviews, and compiled a report submitted to the DA's office, which makes the final decision on justification. Detective Cologne noted that Officer Garcia (age 21, hired in 2022, approximately two years on the force) declined to provide a formal statement after his walkthrough, but his walkthrough was conducted with his attorney, David Roger, directing yes/no questions. Officer Garcia did not provide a statement directly.
- Two taser deployments by Officer Palmira and Sergeant Quintero were ineffective; Detective Cologne cited possible reasons including both prongs not making contact and the decedent's methamphetamine use reducing effectiveness.
- The decedent's criminal history was not extensive, but officers did not know his history at the time of the incident; charges that would have been filed had he survived included assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer and resisting a public officer with a weapon.
- The decedent's next of kin could not be located despite coroner’s office efforts.
- Ombudsman Michael Torriano questioned whether the inability to hear directly from Officer Garcia hindered the investigation; Detective Cologne acknowledged that direct testimony is more valuable but stated all evidence was considered.
Key Outcomes
- The Clark County District Attorney’s Office made a preliminary determination that no criminal prosecution of the officers is appropriate. This public review fulfills the ordinance requirement for transparency.
- The full video and transcript of the proceeding will be available on the Clark County website.
- No formal determination regarding the manner or cause of death was rendered, as per the ordinance.
- The parties stipulated that LVMPD's Force Investigation Team does not make a recommendation; the DA's office has sole authority to decide whether to charge subject officers.
Meeting Transcript
That no criminal prosecution of the officers involved in the death of Kyle Norris is appropriate. Clark County Ordinance Chapter 2.12 requires a public review following such a determination. This is not a trial. The purpose of today's proceeding is to present the public with the essential facts surrounding the death of Mr. Norris. Chief Jeff Deputy District Attorney Banu Pala will present today's fact-finding review on behalf of the district attorney's office. He will determine the witness or witnesses to be called. The ordinance does not provide subpoena power on my behalf and does not allow for any other party to call witnesses. Michael Torriano has been appointed to be the ombudsman. He represents both the public and the Norris family. He will have the opportunity to ask questions of the witness or witnesses. The procedure for questioning witnesses shall be informal with a view to providing the public with relevant information regarding the use of force. The rules of evidence shall not be strictly enforced. Members of the public observing today's review may submit proposed written questions in the forums located in the back of this room and present it to one of the officers. I will ask the question unless I determine that it is irrelevant, redundant, or an abuse of the review process. At the conclusion of this review, no formal determination regarding the manner or cause of death shall be rendered. Do either of the parties have anything to add? No. No. Mr. If not, Mr. Palaw, please call your first witness. Yes, Your Honor. Can you introduce yourself? Detective Mark Cologne. And with what section are you with? The force investigation team. And in that um, in that capacity, uh, were you called out to 5145 Rahides Street on September 20th, 2024? Yes. And can you tell us a little bit about the location? Yes, the major cross streets were Hacienda and Nellis. Um the actual OIS location took uh place in the rear of the complex. And can you tell us who the subject officer was in this OIS? Yes, it was Officer Samuel Garcia. He was hired in 2022. He was 21 at the time. He works patrol, his body worn camera was activated, he provided a walkthrough, and he did not provide a statement to fit detectives. Now, were you able to uh review Officer Garcia's weapon? Yes, he had he had a staccato P 9mm equipped with attack light. The investigation revealed two rounds were fired. Were there any witness officers there? Yes, there was Sergeant Alfredo Quintero, he discharged his ECD, which is a taser. There was Officer Chad Palmeira, he also discharged his ECD, Officer Joseph Gifford, and Officer Cody Galt. Can you tell us what an ECD is? Yeah, it's a taser, it's an electronic control device, uh, works with uh neuromuscular incapacitation. So it would be colloquially called a taser, something that we would think is a taser. Yes. Okay. All right. And is that considered a lethal or non-lethal use of force?
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