June 9, 2014

Today Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s First District spoke on the House Floor to honor the victims of yesterday’s tragic shooting involving two Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers and an innocent bystander. Her remarks were immediately followed by a moment of silence. Below are her remarks: 

“The Nevada delegation comes before you with a heavy heart this evening in the wake of yesterday’s tragic events in Las Vegas. On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, two individuals, who had recently moved to Southern Nevada and participated in the Cliven Bundy resistance, walked into a neighborhood pizza parlor. Carrying swastikas and the Gadsden flag and spouting radical antigovernment rhetoric, they shot and killed two police officers having lunch. They then killed an innocent bystander shopping at a nearby department store. 

“The officers, Alyn Beck and Igor Soldo, were both veterans of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department with a combined 21 years on the force.

“Officer Beck leaves behind a wife and three children, and Officer Soldo leaves behind a wife and a baby. Joseph Robert Wilcox, 31, also of Las Vegas, was shopping when the two killers entered the department store; and he lost his life attempting to intervene. 

“Tonight we ask you to join us in honoring the lives of these three victims of senseless violence; in mourning their families’ devastating loss; in praying for all who suffered as a result of these horrible events; and in commending Metro for its effective action and steadfast commitment to protecting our community even under the worst of circumstances. 

“I ask that you join us in a moment of silence.”