Homicide Suspect Dannon Bryant Stabs Himself to Death After Being Run Over by Police Car in Las Vegas

A shocking video released by the Las Vegas Police Department shows the final moments of a homicide suspect Dannon Bryant who stabbed himself repeatedly after being hit by a police car while trying to escape from a burning apartment where he had killed a woman.

The horrific crime scene

The incident happened on October 31, 2023, around 9:30 a.m., when a neighbor called 911 to report seeing Dannon Bryant stabbing a woman on the balcony of a second-floor apartment in the 8800 block of Canyon Rim Way. The caller said the woman was covered in blood and the man was also cutting himself while the whole apartment was on fire.

The victim, whose name has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene. She had multiple stab wounds to her upper body and neck. The fire was extinguished by the firefighters and the cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

The dramatic chase and confrontation

The suspect, identified as Dannon Bryant, 43, fled the scene by jumping from the balcony and running down the road. He was armed with an eight-inch knife and was bleeding profusely from his self-inflicted wounds.

Officers from the Las Vegas Police Department located Bryant on Desert Inn Road, where Dannon Bryant was stumbling through traffic and approaching vehicles with the knife. The officers tried to stop him using verbal commands and a bean bag shotgun, but he ignored them and continued walking.

One of the officers, James Burt, decided to use his patrol vehicle to bump Bryant and knock him down. However, Bryant fell under the car and was run over by the rear tires. The officer immediately got out of the car and ordered Bryant to drop the knife, but he refused and started stabbing himself again on the ground.

Officer Burt then used a stun gun on Bryant and managed to take the knife away from him. He called for medical assistance and tried to render aid to Bryant, but it was too late. Bryant died at the scene from his injuries.

The disturbing bodycam footage

The Las Vegas Police Department released the bodycam footage of the incident on November 5, 2023, as part of its Critical Incident Community Briefing program. The video shows the graphic and violent nature of the confrontation and the desperate attempts of the officers to stop Dannon Bryant from harming himself and others.

The video also includes a statement from Assistant Sheriff Jamie Prosser, who said the incident was a tragic and complex situation that involved a homicide, a fire, and an officer-involved shooting. He said the officers acted within the department’s policies and procedures and tried to use the least amount of force necessary to stop the threat.

Prosser also said the investigation is still ongoing and the final findings will be reviewed by the Clark County District Attorney’s Office, the Force Investigation Team, and the Critical Incident Review Team. He said the department is committed to transparency and accountability and will release more information as it becomes available.

The background and motive of the suspect

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Dannon Bryant had a criminal history that included convictions for battery, domestic violence, and drug possession. He also had a pending case for assault with a deadly weapon and burglary.

The motive for the stabbing and the fire is still unknown, but the police said Bryant and the victim knew each other and had some kind of relationship. The police also said they had received previous calls for service at the apartment involving domestic disputes between Bryant and the victim.

The police are still trying to determine if Bryant was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident. They are also waiting for the results of the autopsy and toxicology tests to confirm the cause and manner of his death.

The reaction and impact of the community

The incident has shocked and saddened the community, especially the residents of the apartment complex where the crime occurred. Some of them said they heard screams and saw smoke coming from the balcony. Others said they saw Bryant running with the knife and bleeding from his neck.

One of the neighbors, who did not want to be identified, said he knew Dannon Bryant and the victim and described them as nice and friendly people. He said he was surprised and devastated by what happened and hoped they would find peace.

Another neighbor, who also wished to remain anonymous, said he was scared and traumatized by the incident and hoped the police would increase their presence and security in the area. He said he felt sorry for the victim and her family and prayed for them.

The incident has also raised questions and concerns about the mental health and domestic violence issues that affect many people in the society. Some experts and advocates have urged the public to seek help and support if they are experiencing or witnessing any signs of abuse, distress, or suicidal behavior.

They have also encouraged the public to report any suspicious or dangerous activity to the police and to cooperate with the authorities in their investigations. They have also reminded the public to respect the privacy and dignity of the victims and their families and to refrain from spreading rumors or misinformation about the incident.