Las Vegas grand jury declines to indict officer in fatal shooting of homeowner Brandon Durham
A Clark County grand jury has declined to indict Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officer Alexander Bookman in the fatal shooting of homeowner Brandon Durham, despite months of investigation and calls for criminal charges from Durham’s family and civil rights attorneys.
The incident
On November 12, 2024, Brandon Durham, 43, called 911 at approximately 12:40 a.m. to report a home invasion at his residence in the 6900 block of Wine River Drive near Sunset Park. Durham was inside the home with his 15-year-old daughter when an intruder, later identified as Alejandra Boudreaux, 31, broke in.
When Officer Alexander Bookman, 26, arrived at the scene, body camera footage shows he encountered Durham and Boudreaux struggling over a knife inside the home. According to the footage, Bookman yelled “drop the knife” and within approximately 14 seconds of entering the home, opened fire on Durham.
The body camera video captured Bookman shooting Durham multiple times – initial reports indicate seven shots total, with five additional shots fired after Durham and Boudreaux fell to the ground. Durham was killed in the shooting while his teenage daughter was present in the home.
Prior contact and complications
The case became more complex when it was revealed that Officer Bookman had previously responded to Durham’s home just 24 hours earlier on November 10. During that visit, Durham had called police asking to have Boudreaux escorted off his property after she refused to leave.
Court documents later revealed that Boudreaux and Bookman were involved in a romantic relationship, adding another layer of complexity to the case. According to arrest reports, Boudreaux told police after the shooting that Bookman had “shot the wrong person” and that she had attempted to “commit suicide by law enforcement.”
District attorney’s investigation
In March 2025, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson initiated grand jury proceedings against Bookman after months of pressure from Durham’s family and their attorneys. The family had repeatedly called for Bookman to be charged with murder, arguing there was no justification for the use of deadly force against Durham, who they described as a victim seeking help.
Sources indicate that multiple grand jury hearings were conducted as prosecutors presented evidence to determine whether criminal charges were warranted. However, on July 24, 2025, sources confirmed that the grand jury declined to return an indictment against Bookman.
Family response and calls for justice
Durham’s family, represented by civil rights attorneys S. Lee Merritt and Cannon Lambert, expressed outrage at the grand jury’s decision. In a statement, they called the outcome “a gross miscarriage of justice” and “a betrayal of the public trust.”
“Officer Bookman murdered Brandon Durham in cold blood,” said Merritt. “This community deserves transparency, accountability, and justice.”
The family indicated they were told that grand jurors were “reluctant to indict a police officer, regardless of the overwhelming evidence.” They have now called on Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford to assign a special prosecutor to pursue criminal charges where the Clark County DA “has refused.”
Legal precedent and rarity
If Bookman had been indicted, it would have been an extraordinary action in Clark County. Prosecutions of police officers for fatal shootings have been historically rare and unsuccessful in the Las Vegas area. Experienced attorneys, including District Attorney Steve Wolfson himself, have stated they could not recall any recent case where a Las Vegas area police officer was convicted in connection with an on-duty killing.
Ongoing civil litigation
Beyond the criminal proceedings, Durham’s family filed a $1 million federal civil rights lawsuit in April 2025 against both Officer Bookman and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The lawsuit alleges that LVMPD “failed to adequately train Officer Bookman in the use of deadly force.”
The civil suit seeks monetary damages and names Durham’s 15-year-old daughter, who witnessed the shooting, as a plaintiff. The family argues that Durham provided a thorough description of the intruder during his 11-minute 911 call, including details about Boudreaux wearing a red ski mask.
Officer’s defense
David Roger, representing Bookman through the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, has maintained that the officer “was doing his job and did not have criminal intent when he shot to eliminate a threat.” Roger indicated that while Durham’s death was tragic, Bookman was attempting to respond to what he perceived as a dangerous situation.
The Las Vegas Police Protective Association also held a news conference to address the case and the grand jury’s decision, defending the officer’s actions.
Status of related cases
Alejandra Boudreaux, the intruder, was indicted by a separate grand jury in December 2024 on four felony charges, including home invasion with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon constituting domestic violence, child abuse and endangerment, and willful disregard for safety. Her trial is scheduled for October 2025.
According to court documents, Boudreaux confessed to breaking into Durham’s home and stated she intended for police to kill her during the incident.
Broader implications
The case has highlighted ongoing tensions between community members and law enforcement regarding the use of deadly force, particularly in situations where civilians call police for help. Durham’s killing has drawn comparisons to other controversial police shootings and raised questions about officer training and accountability.
Officer Bookman remains on administrative leave pending the conclusion of internal investigations. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has declined to comment extensively on the case while legal proceedings were ongoing.
The Durham family’s attorneys have indicated they will continue pursuing justice through civil courts and have called for public support in demanding accountability. They plan to file additional legal actions against both Bookman and the City of Las Vegas.
This case represents one of the most high-profile police shooting controversies in Las Vegas in recent years, involving a homeowner who was killed while seeking police protection in his own home.
Image Sources: https://news3lv.com/news/local/las-vegas-officer-will-not-be-indicted-in-fatal-shooting-of-homeowner
Category: Local News
Subcategory: Crime & Safety
Date: 07/25/2025
