Clark County holds public fact‑finding review after DA declines prosecution in shooting that killed E.S.L. Torres Santiago

A Clark County public fact‑finding review on the death of E.S.L. Torres Santiago presented the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Departments Force Investigation Teams account of a Dec. 28, 2023, officer‑involved shooting in which the district attorneys office made a preliminary determination that criminal charges against the officers were not appropriate.

Presiding officer Todd Leventhal opened the hearing by explaining the proceeding is not a trial but exists to "present the public with the essential facts surrounding the death" and noted Clark County Ordinance Chapter 2.12 requires the public review after the DAs preliminary decision.

Detective Gilberto Valenzuela of the FIT told the panel and public that officers located a 2013 Ford Transit Connect XL reported stolen three days earlier in a restaurant drive‑thru on the 1700 block of West Charleston Boulevard, which prompted a foot pursuit. Valenzuela said the pursuit led onto the UNLV medical campus where officers encountered the decedent and an officer‑involved shooting occurred.

Valenzuela identified the two subject officers as Joseph Bringhurst and Richard Rivera and said both activated body‑worn cameras and participated in walk‑throughs; FIT reported Bringhurst fired 11 rounds from a Glock 17 9mm and Rivera fired four rounds from a Smith & Wesson 9mm. Valenzuela summarized officersaccounts that the decedent had a firearm in his hand and "turned towards Officer Bringhurst," and that the officers believed there was an imminent threat. In the transcript Valenzuela said, "Officer Bringhurst fired his weapon because of necessary self defense for himself and his partners." He also stated, "the suspect had a firearm in his hand and he believed he was gonna shoot at officers."

An autopsy performed Dec. 29 by Dr. Nathan Schaller was described by FIT as ruling the cause of death "homicide" and listing multiple gunshot wounds. Valenzuela said toxicology showed methamphetamine (ingested) and THC in the decedents system. FIT personnel displayed body‑worn camera and third‑party surveillance frames and crime‑scene photographs, including stills that show the decedent on the ground with a firearm; Valenzuela said the recovered handgun was a .22‑caliber with one round in the chamber and three in the magazine.

Valenzuela provided a minute‑by‑minute timeline he attributed to FIT: license‑plate reader activity generated a stolen‑vehicle call at 21:27; officers located the vehicle at 21:36; the foot pursuit began at 21:37; shots were broadcast at 21:38; fire and rescue arrived at 21:47; and the decedent was pronounced deceased at 22:01.

Panel members, including the formally appointed ombudsman Michael Troiani who represents the public and the Santiago family, questioned FIT about procedures and evidence. Valenzuela reiterated that walk‑throughs are voluntary, often conducted within hours of the incident, and commonly occur with a Las Vegas Police Protective Association (LVPPA) attorney present; both subject officers completed walk‑throughs but declined to give formal FIT statements. Valenzuela also said the driver of the stolen vehicle (initials A.L.) was arrested on scene, requested an attorney immediately, and that questioning ceased at that point.

Valenzuela described bullet impacts and the locations of forensic evidence at the scene and explained, based on BWC review, how momentum from gunfire and body movement could account for the firearms post‑shooting displacement. The FIT presentation concluded with an inventory of evidence, summaries of walk‑throughs, and an explanation that all provided investigative documents are public records.

Todd Leventhal closed the review by repeating that the DAs preliminary determination prompted the public review, noting the panel lacks subpoena power, and stating that the district attorneys investigation file and a video of the proceeding are available on the Clark County website.

The review did not render a formal determination about manner or cause beyond presenting FITs findings and associated documents; the DAs preliminary decision not to prosecute remains in place pending any further action by prosecuting authorities.