Murder suspect shot after police mistake cellphone for gun

LAS VEGAS -- Authorities have identified an attempted murder suspect who was fatally shot by Las Vegas police after they mistook his cellphone for a gun.

The Clark County Office of the Coroner said Saturday that 23-year-old Keith Childress Jr. died from multiple gunshot wounds and ruled his death a homicide.

The shooting occurred Thursday as the officers were assisting U.S. marshals in arresting Childress, who is accused of multiple violent felonies in Arizona.

Police say Childress was found outside a home and his right hand held what they believed to be a firearm.

Officers told him to drop his weapon but say he began advancing toward them.

Two officers opened fire.

Childress was pronounced dead at the scene.