Cop frees hostage with high-risk shot: Moment officer kills man holding his wife at gunpoint in Las Vegas

  • WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT 
  • The footage shows David Nesheiwat pointing a gun at Phillip Pitts, 41, who is holding his wife and pointing a gun at her outside a shop in Pyle Avenue
  • He orders him to drop the gun and get away from his wife before firing four shots
  • The woman was injured in the shooting while Pitts later died in hospital

By Sophie Inge For Mailonline

Published: 05:36 EST, 16 November 2017 | Updated: 12:35 EST, 16 November 2017

Shocking bodycam footage shows the moment an officer shot and killed a man who was holding his wife at gunpoint in Las Vegas.

In the clip, police officer David Nesheiwat is seen pointing a gun at Phillip Pitts, 41, who is holding his wife and pointing a gun at her outside a shop in Pyle Avenue.

Nesheiwat shouts: 'What is going on? What do you have in your hand? Drop the gun!'

In the clip, police officer David Nesheiwat is seen pointing a gun at Phillip Pitts, 41, who is holding his wife and pointing a gun at her outside a shop in Pyle Avenue

In the clip, police officer David Nesheiwat is seen pointing a gun at Phillip Pitts, 41, who is holding his wife and pointing a gun at her outside a shop in Pyle Avenue

He then orders the woman to step away from her husband, saying: 'Get down on the ground! Get away from him now!'

After warning the man to step away from his wife, he fires four shots, and Pitts falls to the ground.

Pitts' wife, who has not been named, was also injured in the shooting. 

The couple's 10-year-old daughter was standing nearby but was taken to safety by an officer, the Review Journal reported.

After warning the man to step away from his wife, he fires four shots, and Pitts falls to the ground

After warning the man to step away from his wife, he fires four shots, and Pitts falls to the ground

The couple were rushed to University Medical Center where the man died. The woman had to have surgery but is expected to survive.

The incident, which happened on the evening of November 11, marks the 21st shooting by the Metropolitan Police Department this year. 

It is the 10th time police from the force have shot and killed a suspect.

Pitts' wife, who has not been named, was also injured in the shooting

Pitts' wife, who has not been named, was also injured in the shooting

The couple were rushed to University Medical Center where the man died. The woman had to have surgery but is expected to survive

The couple were rushed to University Medical Center where the man died. The woman had to have surgery but is expected to survive