Desperate Plea: Prosecutor Reveals Nellis Shooter Sought 'Suicide By Cop'

In a riveting court hearing, a Las Vegas prosecutor laid bare a chilling allegation: the man accused of firing scores of rounds at Nellis Air Force Base last year was, in fact, attempting to provoke a deadly confrontation with law enforcement. Mathew Daniel Reardon, 37, who currently faces multiple felony charges, allegedly sought 'suicide by cop' during the intense standoff.

Deputy District Attorney Pam Weckerly presented compelling evidence to Justice of the Peace Diana Sullivan, asserting that Reardon’s actions on July 14, 2023, were a desperate cry for an end to his life.

The prosecutor highlighted alarming text messages sent by Reardon’s girlfriend to her mother, stating unequivocally, “He told me he wants to die via suicide by cop.” This stark admission forms the bedrock of the prosecution’s case, painting a grim picture of Reardon’s state of mind during the incident.

The dramatic events unfolded as Reardon, armed with an AR-style rifle, allegedly fired over 100 rounds towards the military base before barricading himself.

However, Weckerly also acknowledged a critical detail: Reardon had reportedly told responding officers, “I’m not trying to hurt you.” This statement, while seemingly contradictory to the 'suicide by cop' theory, adds another layer of complexity to his intentions.

Defense attorney Ryan Norwood countered the prosecution’s narrative, arguing vigorously that Reardon was a man in profound distress, not a cold-blooded aggressor.

Norwood emphasized Reardon’s long-standing struggles with PTSD, substance abuse, and severe mental health issues. The defense attorney maintained that Reardon never intended to harm others, and his actions were a reflection of his internal turmoil rather than a deliberate attempt at violence against the officers or the base personnel.

Norwood even suggested that police firing non-lethal rounds at Reardon after he threw his rifle to the ground could be construed as self-defense on Reardon's part, given his vulnerable state.

Court records reveal Reardon’s troubled past, including previous felony convictions for attempted grand larceny of a vehicle and battery on a peace officer.

These prior incidents, coupled with his battle with PTSD and substance abuse, provide a backdrop to the catastrophic events at Nellis.

Reardon has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, discharging a firearm at or into an occupied structure, and assault with a deadly weapon. Judge Sullivan is tasked with the critical decision of whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed with a trial, weighing the harrowing allegations against the mitigating circumstances presented by the defense.

The case continues to underscore the often-tragic intersection of mental health crises and law enforcement confrontations, as the court seeks to understand the true intentions behind the shots fired at one of the nation's vital military installations.