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Officer who fatally shot ice cream truck driver resigns from police department
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
The Henderson police officer at the center of one of the Las Vegas Valley’s most controversial shootings in recent memory resigned from the department Tuesday for undisclosed reasons.
City of Henderson spokesman Bud Cranor said Tuesday that Luke Morrison, 24, is no longer an employee of the city. Morrison was the officer who fatally shot 42-year-old ice cream truck driver Deshira Selimaj last year.
The resignation came in the wake of accusations from a family member that Morrison had engaged in “inappropriate behavior” with a teenager.
According to an April request for a restraining order filed in the Family Division of Clark County District Court, Morrison’s father-in-law accused him of taking advantage of his daughter — Morrison’s sister-in-law — when she was 15. She is now 18.
At an April hearing, the girl opposed the request for a restraining order. Both she and Morrison denied having a relationship.
The girl’s father reported the allegation to Henderson police. Morrison has been married to the girl’s older sister since Jan. 1, 2004, according to Clark County records.
Cranor wouldn’t specify why Morrison resigned, saying it was a personnel matter. He confirmed that an allegation had been made against Morrison that was investigated by Henderson police. He wouldn’t detail the allegation.
“There was no evidence of criminal wrongdoing based on our investigation,” Cranor said.
Morrison could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Morrison has been on paid administrative leave since July 21. His annual base salary was $64,349.
Morrison’s shooting of Selimaj was ruled justifiable by a coroner’s inquest jury. But numerous witnesses disputed the police version of what took place on the day of the shooting. On Feb. 12, 2008, Selimaj’s Albanian-born husband was pulled over in his ice cream truck for minor traffic violations at Sunridge Heights and Pecos Ridge parkways. Accompanied by two of the couple’s three children, she drove her ice cream truck to the scene to help translate for her husband, Zyber Selimaj.
The situation became volatile. Police said the 42-year-old mother raised a knife in the direction of one of the officers and was shot by Morrison. Several witnesses said Selimaj didn’t have a knife and was kneeling on the street when she was shot.
At the April 2008 inquest, Henderson police officer Anthony Pecorella credited Morrison for saving his life. He said Morrison shot the woman after she lunged at him with a knife. According to inquest testimony, a knife found at the scene had a 4 1/2-inch blade.
On Sept. 1, the Henderson City Council approved a $700,000 settlement with Zyber Selimaj.
The city admitted no liability or wrongdoing in the death of Deshira Selimaj. The settlement resolved a federal lawsuit brought by the Selimaj family that had sought $25 million in damages.
Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.
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stan wrote on September 30, 2009 02:10 PM:
Never knew these people, but I tend to believe what Shannon said - Albans are no good, no matter where they go. Their main "business" is drugs, prostitution, kidnapping.
I really think the ice cream thing was a cover up for something else that they want to sell to the kids! *DRUGS* Algae_in_the_gene_pool wrote on September 30, 2009 12:14 PM: Right, wrong, or whatever - All of you people watch TOO much television. Ask to do a ridealong with a police agency for a week or so and then you may have a clue or two about real life in any city and learn a little about the thin blue line. tiredof******it wrote on September 30, 2009 01:51 AM: There are many people out there that don't know or have any idea what it takes to be a police officer in Henderson or any other police departments in this valley. Luke Morrison served not only his country while in the Army, he also helped protect and served the citizens of this state by being a police officer all before the age of 24. How many people out there can say that? Every cop out there would do the exact same thing if faced with the situation of deadly force when a person attacks them with a knife. They would protect their life, the life of a fellow police officer, and the life of any citizen in danger. Taking a life isn't easy especially for a police officer because he is judged by everyone in the public and everybody has their two cents to put in on any police involved situation. My prayer and wishes go to Morrison and hopes the best for him along with the other men and women who do the job as police officers in this valley, may they be safe to go home to their families at the end of shift. Shannon wrote on September 30, 2009 01:24 AM: I have come in contact with this ice cream truck driver on many occasions. Him and his wife were crazy. We play baseball, and he shows up and yells at people, he over charges you if you are not paying attention and if you call him out on it, he starts cursing and threating you in front of children. He slams the window and takes off speeding and never cares if he almost runs people over. He left his own son one time cause he was so mad at a customer, and his son was screaming and chasing the truck. We have called many times to have his licence taken cause he is dangerous. He should not be near children. His wife was worse. Talk to anyone in the Mission area and see what they tell you. Oh and his wife did not need to translate for him, he speaks perfect english!!! Bill.Brasky wrote on September 30, 2009 12:34 AM: I think we need to subpoena the identity of "pull the trigger". Common Citizen wrote on September 30, 2009 12:02 AM: “There was no evidence of criminal wrongdoing based on our investigation,” Cranor said. Ridiculous. Try telling the truth about this individual. Seven Burke wrote on September 29, 2009 11:37 PM: what a fcking disgrace the Henderson police department is - it's almost as bad as Metro pull the trigger wrote on September 29, 2009 11:25 PM: here we go. lets see another cop blow his brains out. i think this kid should get drunk and coked up out of his mind and pull the trigger on himself. call me sadistic, but i love it whenthese cops true colors some out for real. all these valley cops are no good anyways. like i said before and i will say it again, i know i guy that pays 10 grand a week protection to deal dope in this town. that 10 grand a week goes to 2 metro cops. post that one baby. Joe wrote on September 29, 2009 10:59 PM: Nice job Henderson Police Department. You let one slip through the cracks with your recruiting. Todd wrote on September 29, 2009 10:36 PM: Eric I hope you have an under aged daughter and you live next to him. He shot a 5 foot tall woman that was 42. Yes I think the next criminal would think Ya I want to get shot and killed so I can get money. You have a criminal mind or lack there of. You said they use deadly force. How does that pay. If these two officers felt threaten then they should both quit and quit waisting our tax money with there salaries. Read More Comments |
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