But, but he knows the law

boracayjohnny · 10-31-2009, 5:54pm

Man shot by police identified as local attorney - Breaking News - ReviewJournal.com

A friend of the man who was shot by Las Vegas police multiple times earlier this week after fleeing from an officer confirmed this afternoon that the wounded man is a local attorney who unsuccessfully ran for Congress against Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev. on the Libertarian ticket last year.

The friend, who did not want to be identified, said Raymond James Duensing, was shot by police several times causing him to receive injuries to his back and arm.

Police said an officer shot Duensing after a traffic stop near Cheyenne Avenue and Jones Boulevard.

Police said the officer fired his weapon after Duensing was asked to get out of his Pontiac rental car because a record’s check indicated he had a warrant for his arrest. Police said Duensing then fled and was unsuccessfully Tased and shot several times after he reached toward his front right pocket for a .45-caliber handgun. Police also said Duensing reached for a large folding knife.

Duensing’s friend said this afternoon that he spoke with Duensing on the phone, who is recovering well from his bedside at University Medical Center. The friend, a lawyer himself who had worked with Duensing, said Duensing was being guarded in his hospital room by police and therefore was cautious about releasing information during the phone conversation.

“He’s not the kind of guy who would flee from police,” Duensing’s friend said. “He was Tased. He did tell me that. I think it scared the crap out of him. I don’t think he expected to be Tased over a traffic stop.”

Police said in a release Duensing is 31, but Clark County Detention Center records, where he was booked in absentia, indicated he’s 33.

Duensing’s friend said Duensing drove through an intersection in a right-turn only lane and that’s why he was pulled over. “It’s not the kind of thing you expect to be shot for,” the friend said.