Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo was delivering remarks about fallen Las Vegas police officer Austin Abdelnabi when a loud boo emerged from the crowd
Credit: State of Nevada; LVMPD
NEED TO KNOW
- Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo addressed the crowd at a Las Vegas Trump rally to honor fallen officer Austin Abdelnabi
- The crowd booed during the eulogy, prompting Lombardo to clarify they were honoring the officer who recently died and not speaking about a political opponent
- The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department shared a heartfelt statement honoring Abdelnabi’s life and service to the community
An awkward moment occurred at a Trump rally in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Aug. 5, when the crowd was heard booing at the name of an officer who was killed in the line of duty early this month.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo was delivering remarks at the event, held at Red Rock Casino, ahead of the president’s appearance when he began to speak about fallen Las Vegas police officer Austin Abdelnabi.
In a clip shared on social media, a loud boo was heard from the crowd as Lombardo, 63, began eulogizing the slain officer.
“No, no, we’re not booing him. He’s the officer that passed away here recently,” said Lombardo, the former head of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, before moving on to hold a moment of silence for Abdelnabi at the rally.
Abdelnabi, 30, was a Marine before joining the LVMPD in 2023. He died during a gun battle on Tuesday, Aug. 4, while responding to a call about an armed man in East Las Vegas.
“Here’s a hero that served this country, was awarded at the top levels, a hero that came to Metro, responded to a call for service of a man with a gun, was ambushed as he gets out of his car, and he gave his life and sacrificed for this community,” Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill said after his death.
“He was known for his giant personality, always laughing even when his field training officers were trying to provide guidance,” the sheriff added. “Austin was also known for talking about how much he loved his wife, Sage.”
The LVMPD posted a statement on their Facebook page on Wednesday honoring Abdelnabi’s life and service.
“The last 24 hours have been incredibly difficult as we begin honoring the life and service of LVMPD Officer Austin Abdelnabi,” the statement said.
“We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love, prayers, and support from our community, our law enforcement partners, and those across the country,” the statement continued. “Your kind words, tributes, and acts of compassion have provided comfort to Officer Abdelnabi’s family and to every member of the LVMPD during this heartbreaking time.”
“As we continue to mourn, we ask that you keep Officer Abdelnabi’s wife, loved ones, friends, and our entire department in your thoughts,” the statement continued.
President Donald Trump was in Las Vegas for the rally on Wednesday to promote his administration’s new tax policies and economic gains ahead of the midterm elections taking place in November.
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