Suspected Cop Killer Ruled Competent for Trial in Death of LVMPD Officer

A judge has ruled that a man accused of killing a Las Vegas police officer is mentally competent to stand trial.

The defendant, Tyson Hampton, is accused of fatally shooting Officer Truong Thai in October 2022 while the officer responded to a domestic disturbance call involving Hampton’s wife.

Prosecutors charged Hampton with murder, battery, and unlawful discharge of a firearm. He has undergone multiple competency evaluations since early 2024.

In Friday’s decision, District Judge Christy Craig found Hampton is capable of understanding the charges against him and able to assist his legal counsel.

While one medical evaluator raised a possibility that Hampton might be exaggerating mental health symptoms, Craig noted only one of the two evaluators expressed suspicion of malingering.

Hampton’s attorney, Lance Maningo, cited his client’s history of untreated mental health issues, but did not challenge the court’s competency ruling at the time.