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Video: Heavily armed Las Vegas man opens fire on cops in hostage standoff

The suspect, allegedly upset about a breakup, kidnapped his former neighbors and fired 26 rounds

By Police1 Staff

LAS VEGAS — Police released body camera footage of a Dec. 13 shooting standoff with a heavily-armed man who took his neighbors hostage.

The Las Vegas Sun reported that Edison Somera, 37, was upset after his girlfriend of 21 years broke up with him.

When he allegedly pulled a gun on her, his son tackled him to the ground, allowing her to flee, the publication reported.

Armed with an AK-47, Somera then took his son, baby daughter, and 6-year-old family friend hostage. The three managed to escape the house while Somera looked for his ex-girlfriend.

SWAT responded and Somera held them in a five-hour standoff, kidnapping two neighbors in the process.

According to the publication, Somera fired at least 26 rounds during the standoff. Police fired back after a patrol car was hit, but no one was wounded.

Police said Somera was heard during negotiations telling family he was angry because he was losing his children and his girlfriend was leaving him.

He surrendered peacefully after five hours.

Clark County Undersheriff Kevin McMahill said he was proud of how the department handled the standoff and that no one was injured.

“Throughout this entire incident, it’s not all that often that a suspect survives shooting at the police.,” McMahill said. “And the remarkable restraint that the men and women of law enforcement showed on this particular day is something that ... I’m getting goosebumps talking about it.”