Officer Shay Mikalonis was shot during a peaceful protest supporting the Black Lives Matter movement near the Circus Circus casino in Las Vegas. Mikalonis was on the job when the accident happened and the police statement released on the behalf of his family said he is now paralyzed from the neck down, on a ventilator, and unable to speak.
We believe in the power of prayer & continue to ask that you lift up Shay in your prayers. Shay is a fighter & we have faith his situation will continue to improve. Thank you for all your support for Shay & his family!#BAC #BACFAM #LVMPD #Pray4Shay #PrayForShay #LasVegas #Vegas pic.twitter.com/KiwZ5fLrVW
— Bolden Area Command (@LVMPDBAC) June 9, 2020
Mikalonis is still in a very critical condition and is treated at the trauma unit at the University Medical Center in Las Vegas.
“Shay is on a ventilator and will be for the foreseeable future or perhaps the rest of his life,” the statement read.
“He had a set back today, but the outstanding staff at UMC is working hard to get his vitals back under control.”
The suspect in the shooting has been identified as 20-year-old Edgar Samaniego who has since been arrested and held without bail in the Clark County Detention Center, charged with attempted murder and battery and firearms charges.
Please keep lifting up Shay in your prayers. We are continuing in hope and faith. Thank you to local artist Juan Muniz Ninobuni World for this amazing piece of art in support of Shay. Be blessed!#Pray4Shay #PrayForShay #BAC #BACFAM #BoldenPride #LVMPD #COP #VegasStrong #Vegas pic.twitter.com/Jd0tAZf2OD
— Bolden Area Command (@LVMPDBAC) June 3, 2020
Samaniego said he shot because he wanted to scare off protesters and never aimed at anyone as he apparently didn’t even know the police was there.
Las Vegas Review Journal wrote how the bullet pierced Mikalonis’ spine and lodged in the right side of his face.
Our thoughts and prayers are with officer Mikalonis and his family. We hope he will pull through.