By Ian Whitaker
Las Vegas Sun
LAS VEGAS — Metro Police have identified the man shot and killed by an officer at the Rio Hotel and Casino Sunday.
Police said Wednesday that Anthony Moore, 31, was responsible for a string of armed casino robberies in recent weeks that culminated in the fatal confrontation over the weekend.
Metro said Moore had threatened robbery victims with a gun and sometimes with explosives.
One threatening note Metro said was used by Moore during a robbery read, “I have a gun and grenade. Do not press the security button. I want all your (money) quickly and $100k within 30 sec or I will shoot someone.”
Detectives from Metro’s robbery and career criminal sections began surveillance of Moore on Saturday evening, where he was observed driving a rental car with license plates that changed through the night. He also changed into clothes that were similar to those he wore in previous robberies, police said.
Detectives caught up to Moore in a populated area of the Rio on the casino floor around 5 a.m. on Sunday morning. Detectives Sean Beck and Thomas Faller attempted to take Moore into custody, but a struggle ensued. Metro said Beck saw Moore pull a gun out of a gym bag he was carrying and told him to drop it. Metro said Moore disobeyed and managed to fire one round when Beck shot once, striking him in the neck. He was declared dead at the scene.
Metro has released surveillance footage showing the first part of the encounter.
Detectives are also investigating a 2009 robbery at the MGM Grand Casino, where Moore has been identified as a suspect. Police said Moore has lived in Oregon and the Las Vegas area in the last five years.
It is Metro’s 15th officer involved shooting this year.
Copyright 2014 the Las Vegas Sun