Last week’s incident refocused the police shooting just days before the Justice Department opened an investigation into the death of Sonya Massey, who was fatally shot by an officer in her Illinois home in July.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said Mr. Bookman, 26, has been placed on paid administrative leave while they conduct an internal review of the Nov. 12 incident.
Mr. Durham called 911 to report that two people were shooting outside and trying to break into his home, police said in a news release.
Officers responding to the report found vehicles outside with broken windows.
They also noticed damage to the home and heard screams from inside, prompting Mr. Bookman to kick in the front door to gain entry, police said.
Footage released by police shows Mr Bookman walking through the house with a gun drawn, while shouting and banging can be heard out of sight.
Rounding the corner of an L-shaped hallway, the officer finds a shirtless Mr. Durham struggling over a knife with a woman wearing a ski mask, later identified as 31-year-old Alejandra Boudreau.
Mr. Bookman yells, “Hey, drop the knife, drop the knife,” seconds before he shoots Mr. Durham, knocking him and Ms. Boudreau to the ground.
Mr. Bookman then fires five more shots at Mr. Durham and says, “Put your hands up,” police tapes from a body-worn camera showed.
Mr. Durham was pronounced dead at the scene. Ms. Boudreau was arrested and charged with four counts, including home invasion with a deadly weapon.
“I am disgusted by the way the Metropolitan Police told my father after he killed not to lie down,” Mr Durham’s daughter told local news. “I am disgusted that the metropolitan police will allow me to live without my father for the rest of my life.”
The family’s lawyer asked for an immediate arrest warrant for Mr. Bookman.
“Unlike a civil case, which involves an individual’s negligence, criminal cases require proof of the individual’s criminal intent,” David Roger, general counsel for the Las Vegas Police Defense Association, told CNN in a statement. “While Mr. Durham’s death is tragic, Officer Bookman was doing his job and did not intend to commit a crime.”
Citing a police report, local news outlets reported that Mr. Durham and Ms. Boudreau had previously been romantically involved.
Sheriff’s Assistant Dory Coren said police did not find a gun at the scene despite multiple reports of shots fired.
Similar details between the deaths of Mr. Durham and Sonya Massey, the Illinois woman who was shot by police in her home after calling for help, have renewed calls for police reform.
