paralyzed from the neck down, on a ventilator and unable to speak

In the Law Officer blog, we learn

LAS VEGAS — A police officer who was shot in the head during a Las Vegas Strip protest of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis is paralyzed from the neck down, on a ventilator and unable to speak, his family said in a statement released by police.

Officer Shay Mikalonis, 29, was shot June 1 during protests over the death of Floyd. The violent act has apparently brought permanent suffering, a fact that often gets lost when the story fades away.

Edgar Samaniego, 20, has been charged with attempted murder, battery and firearms charges as a result of the shooting. He is being held in lieu of $1 million.

A judge who reviewed evidence at June 5 court hearing said that police video shows Samaniego “walking by, taking out a gun and firing … at officers.”

Scott Coffee, a public defender, said after the hearing that Samaniego will plead not guilty. Samaniego also is being held without bail on accusations that he violated the terms of release on separate misdemeanor DUI and illegal drug possession charges.

Read more here.