Las Vegas Metropolitan police officer Kenneth Lopera has been charged with involuntary manslaughter for his role in the death of Tashi Farmer on May 14, according to a press release from LVMPD. LVMPD say Farmer approached Lopera and his partner inside Las Vegasí Venetian Hotel to complain of people chasing him, only to run away into a restricted area of the property. The officers gave chase and eventually caught up with Farmer on a hotel roadway. Police say Lopera used an unapproved ìrear naked chokeî on Farmer to stop what he believed to be a carjacking in progress. Farmer was also tased during the altercation and struck with a closed fist multiple times, police say. Lopera applied the unapproved technique on Farmer for over a minute, according to the LVMPD press release. After Farmer was handcuffed, medical personnel were summoned when it was determined that he wasnít breathing. Officers attempted to resuscitate him until paramedics arrived, LVMPD says. Farmer was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Charges were filed against Lopera Monday after the Clark County Coronerís Office ruled Farmerís death as homicide due to asphyxiation related to police restraint. The Coroner also ruled that contributing factors were an enlarged heart and methamphetamine intoxication. In addition to involuntary manslaughter, Lopera was also charged with oppression under the color of office. Lopera was placed on paid administrative leave after the incident, but will now go on unpaid administrative leave because of the charges. He also faces an internal administrative investigation in addition to the criminal investigation, LVMPD says.
Video Ad Feedback
Cop charged in death of man put in chokehold
Charges were filed against Las Vegas Metropolitan police officer Kenneth Lopera after the Clark County Coroner's Office ruled Tashii Farmer's death as homicide due to asphyxiation.
1:44 • Source: CNN
Stories worth watching 31 videos
Las Vegas Metropolitan police officer Kenneth Lopera has been charged with involuntary manslaughter for his role in the death of Tashi Farmer on May 14, according to a press release from LVMPD. LVMPD say Farmer approached Lopera and his partner inside Las Vegasí Venetian Hotel to complain of people chasing him, only to run away into a restricted area of the property. The officers gave chase and eventually caught up with Farmer on a hotel roadway. Police say Lopera used an unapproved ìrear naked chokeî on Farmer to stop what he believed to be a carjacking in progress. Farmer was also tased during the altercation and struck with a closed fist multiple times, police say. Lopera applied the unapproved technique on Farmer for over a minute, according to the LVMPD press release. After Farmer was handcuffed, medical personnel were summoned when it was determined that he wasnít breathing. Officers attempted to resuscitate him until paramedics arrived, LVMPD says. Farmer was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Charges were filed against Lopera Monday after the Clark County Coronerís Office ruled Farmerís death as homicide due to asphyxiation related to police restraint. The Coroner also ruled that contributing factors were an enlarged heart and methamphetamine intoxication. In addition to involuntary manslaughter, Lopera was also charged with oppression under the color of office. Lopera was placed on paid administrative leave after the incident, but will now go on unpaid administrative leave because of the charges. He also faces an internal administrative investigation in addition to the criminal investigation, LVMPD says.
Video Ad Feedback
Cop charged in death of man put in chokehold
01:44
Now playing
• Source: CNN
jellyfish thumb 1.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Scientists spot mesmerizing creatures after iceberg snaps off ice shelf
00:54
Now playing
• Source: CNN
wide v2 clean.00_00_02_26.Still002.png
Video Ad Feedback
See huge fire erupt after gas pipe bursts in Malaysia
00:56
Now playing
• Source: CNN
SURVIVOR.png
Video Ad Feedback
Watch: ‘Survivor’ contestant jumps into action to help co-competitor with autism
02:24
Now playing
• Source: CNN
thumb.jpg
Ring camera captures the moment a small plane crashes into a home
00:48
Now playing
• Source: CNN
stephen graham thumb.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Stephen Graham of 'Adolescence' says research took its co-writer down 'a lot of dark holes'
02:03
Now playing
• Source: CNN
250318_Gupta on Call.00_02_05_14.Still002.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
This is how astronauts’ bodies will have to adapt in return to Earth
03:36
Now playing
• Source: CNN
lightning.png
Video Ad Feedback
Driver narrowly escapes lightning strike on highway
00:30
Now playing
• Source: CNN
astronaut.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Astronauts greeted after returning from an unexpected nine-month stay in space
01:56
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Sentinel seafloor scene.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Could humans live underwater? This UK startup thinks so
02:36
Now playing
• Source: CNN
thumbnail pakistan snow leopards 2.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
See rare footage of snow leopards in Pakistan
00:51
Now playing
• Source: CNN
splitscreen.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Enthusiasts gather to watch the ‘blood moon.’ See what it looks like
02:01
Now playing
• Source: CNN
mitch wide.png
Video Ad Feedback
‘Survivor’ contestant and PE teacher goes on the show with a stutter. This is his message to his students
02:07
Now playing
• Source: CNN
thumb1.png
Video Ad Feedback
First responders scramble to pull man from flooded car
00:32
Now playing
• Source: CNN
WOMBAT JPG.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
US influencer has fled Australia after taking baby wombat from mother
01:31
Now playing
• Source: CNN
111501_WesternReserveShipwreck Copy 01.00_00_46_14.Still001.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
See 132-year-old shipwreck found in Lake Superior
00:46
Now playing
• Source: CNN
21437626 - Pilot.00_00_06_20.Still001.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
‘Nobody more important:’ Pilot walks out of cockpit to reassure passengers
01:03
Now playing
• Source: CNN
thumbnail_1.png
Video Ad Feedback
Making thousands flipping furniture: a side hustle gone viral
02:39
Now playing
• Source: CNN
thumb1.png
Video Ad Feedback
'No obligation to restore your funds.' The truth about crypto hacks
02:55
Now playing
• Source: CNN
horizonhta.png
Video Ad Feedback
Video shows March snow storm sweep through the Midwest
00:25
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Turo Stolen Car.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Three men rented a car on Turo to get to a baby shower. Then the police arrived
01:52
Now playing
• Source: CNN
spacex.png
Video Ad Feedback
Spectators capture video of debris from SpaceX explosion
00:55
Now playing
• Source: CNN
LOS ANGELES, CA - 1996: Actor Gene Hackman poses for a portrait circa 1996 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ron Davis/Getty Images)
Video Ad Feedback
CNN looks back on Gene Hackman’s life and work
03:51
Now playing
• Source: CNN
cruise.png
Video Ad Feedback
Video shows LGBT+ cruise rescue refugee boat waving white flag
00:49
Now playing
• Source: CNN
20250225-travel_influencers.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Travel influencers tell CNN’s Will Ripley what they saw inside North Korea
03:02
Now playing
• Source: CNN
still_21391156_3619836.945_still.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Hear why Neil deGrasse Tyson didn’t want to be an astronaut as a young child
02:29
Now playing
• Source: CNN
clean.00_00_14_08.Still001.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
See rescuers rush to reach teenager trapped in mineshaft
00:53
Now playing
• Source: CNN
cat.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Cat survives three weeks trapped in sofa during cross-country move
02:07
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Avalanche_v1.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
See the moment snowmobiler is found buried under avalanche
00:40
Now playing
• Source: CNN
111339.00_03_49_11.Still003.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Only a 2-hour ferry from the US coast, explore crystal clear waters, conch salad and snorkel a shipwreck
04:00
Now playing
• Source: CNN
thumb1.png
Video Ad Feedback
‘It’s 2025 and insurance just keeps getting worse’: Doctor’s video goes viral
05:33
Now playing
• Source: CNN