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Bodycam shows Las Vegas man who called 911 for help killed by police in his home
A family is demanding answers after a Las Vegas father was shot and killed in his own home after calling police to report a potential home invasion.
Newly released police bodycam video shows Brandon Durham, 43, struggling with an alleged intruder over a knife in the early hours of Nov. 12. The intruder, later identified as Alejandra Boudreaux, 31, was wearing a red hoodie, while Durham was shirtless, the video shows. Durham’s 15-year-old daughter was home at the time, but was not at the scene, officials said.
Las Vegas police said Officer Alexander Bookman entered the home and ordered the pair to drop the knife before firing his weapon, police said. Durham was struck and fell to the floor. Bookman then fires five more rounds, the video shows.
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Durham was pronounced dead at the scene. Now, his family is pushing for answers.
“He called the police for safety and instead, he was brutally murdered,” his daughter Isabella said in a news conference.
“Someone needs to explain to me why my son is not here with us today,” added Durham’s mother.
Bookman is on paid leave while the Las Vegas Metro Police Department investigates whether he acted appropriately or should face criminal charges. Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson told Durham’s family the investigation could take 30 to 90 days, according to CBS affiliate KLAS.
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“Every time a police officer used force, he has to be able to articulate why he used that force,” Felipe Rodriguez, an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a former detective sergeant for the NYPD, told CBS News. “And even if he did use one round, you know, how is it that he was, you know, he continued shooting after the person was down in such a rapid succession? It’s going to have a lot of explaining.”
Boudreaux was arrested and faces multiple charges, including one count of home invasion with a deadly weapon, a count of assault with a deadly weapon, a count of performing an act of willful or wanton disregard of safety resulting in a person’s death, and one count of child abuse, according to police.
Boudreaux and Durham knew each other and had a sexual relationship, according to an arrest report obtained by KLAS 8. Boudreaux told detectives she intended to have police kill her on the day of the home invasion, the station reported, and Boudreaux has refused to appear at two court hearings.
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Homeowners looking to access a large sum of money in today’s economic climate don’t have to look too far to find it. By turning to their accumulated home equity, owners can potentially finance a major expense (or multiple major expenses) simply by using the money they already have via their home’s value.
While there are multiple ways to do this, many may be considering a traditional mortgage refinance or cash-out refinance. But in today’s unique and constantly changing interest rate climate, that could prove to be a costly mistake. Instead, right now, both home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are arguably better than refinancing. Below, we’ll explain why.
Start by seeing what home equity loan interest rate you could qualify for here.
Why home equity loans are better than refinancing right now
Here are three reasons why a home equity loan may be more beneficial than a refinance now:
You’ll maintain your existing mortgage rate
The average home equity loan interest rate is 8.41% as of November 19, 2024, but the average mortgage refinance rate for a 30-year loan is 6.93%. So, on the surface, it appears that refinancing is cheaper. But that refinance rate will require you to exchange your current mortgage rate to get the new one.
That could be a costly mistake if you have a rate under 6.93%, as millions of Americans do right now. By applying for a home equity loan, however, you’ll still gain access to your equity, but you won’t need to bump your mortgage rate to get it. And if home equity loan rates drop in the future, as they have for most of 2024, you can simply refinance your loan to the better rate then.
Get started with a home equity loan online today.
You may qualify for a tax deduction
When you use a cash-out refinance, you apply for a loan larger than what you currently owe to your lender. You then use the former to pay off the latter and keep the difference as cash for yourself. Interest paid on mortgage loans is tax-deductible, but so is the interest on home equity loans if used for qualifying purposes. At that higher interest rate, you may qualify for a larger deduction (while still maintaining your current lower mortgage rate).
The average home equity amount is high right now
A combination of low mortgage interest rates during the pandemic, a drop in available inventory and a hesitation to sell now that rates are high again (amid other complex but interrelated factors) has caused the average home equity amount to soar to just under $330,000 right now. If you want to access that with a refinance, as noted, you’ll need to give up your current mortgage rate to do so. And if you want to access it via a credit card or personal loan, the restrictions will be significant. It makes sense, then, to take advantage by using a home equity loan or HELOC instead of taking a gamble with a refinance right now.
The bottom line
With mortgage refinance rates elevated, the unique feature of a potential tax deduction tied to home equity borrowing and a six-figure average equity sum available now, for many homeowners in need of financing it makes sense to skip a refinance for a home equity loan now. That said, this type of financing is tied to your most important financial asset so the decision to withdraw it from it should be carefully weighed against the risks. Consider speaking to a financial advisor or home equity lender who can answer any questions you may have before getting started.
Speak to a home equity loan lender now.
