By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-05 22:46:06 | Updated at 2026-08-05 23:31:50
53 minutes ago
An apparently intoxicated gunman fatally shot the police officer brother of a White House official in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Officer Austin Abdelnabi, 30, had been responding Tuesday to a report of an intoxicated man waving a firearm near a local business on the 4500 block of East Tropicana Avenue just before 4 p.m., authorities said.
The suspect opened fire after Abdelnabi and other officers arrived, leading to a gunfight that left the officer wounded before he died at a nearby hospital. The suspect, who has not been identified, also died at the scene.
Abdelnabi’s brother, Ryan, worked for the White House advance team, which prepares trips and works out logistics for the president, according to his LinkedIn.
Ryan described his brother a Marine Corps veteran and a police officer whom he “shared a lifetime of memories with, laughed with, argued with, looked up to, and loved unconditionally.”
“It’s impossible to put into words the emptiness I feel knowing I’ll never hear his voice again, never get another phone call, never make another memory together,” he wrote on social media. “A piece of my heart left with him tonight.”
The brothers’ mother, Amy Harvey, said Abdelnabi was born in Greenville, S.C., and worked as a machine gunner in the Marine Corps. He graduated from Clemson University with a degree in criminal justice, she added.
Harvey said her son enjoyed working with the homeless and became a police officer to “protect people.”
Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill said the shooter “ambushed” Officer Abdelnabi.
“He was ambushed by our suspect as he got out of his patrol vehicle near Mountain Vista and Hacienda,” the sheriff said at a press briefing Wednesday.
McMahill said more information, including body camera footage, would be released on Friday.
Abdelnabi joined Las Vegas Police Department in November 2023 and was assigned to the Southeast Area Command, according to the LVMPD.
“His infectious laugh, larger-than-life personality, and genuine compassion left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. Above all, he cherished his wife, Sage, with whom he shared eight years of marriage,” the department wrote on social media.
A procession honored Abdelnabi the day of his killing as his body traveled from the hospital to the Clark County Coroner’s Office.
Other tributes poured in from Nevada politicians at all levels.
“Donna and I are praying for this officer’s family, loved ones, and every member of the Metro family as they mourn this heartbreaking loss,” Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo wrote on social media. “We will never forget this officer’s sacrifice, and we will always stand with the brave men and women of law enforcement who risk their lives to protect our communities.”
“What a tragedy and a deep loss for all of us in Las Vegas. Officer Austin Abdelnabi served our country both as a Marine and as an @LVMPD officer. Our community is safer because of him. My prayers are with Officer Abdelnabi’s family and his colleagues at Metro. We will never forget his service, his courage, and his sacrifice to protect our community,” Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto added on X.
Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft said flags would be lowered in Austin’s honor.
“My deepest condolences are with the family of our fallen officer on the news of today’s unimaginable loss. We hold them and our entire LVMPD family close to our hearts at this incredibly painful time. Flags at county buildings will be lowered in his honor,” he wrote.
