Coroner reports man who died during standoff bled to death

The Clark County coroner’s office released the cause of death for a man who killed himself during a police standoff earlier this month.

Initial reports said David Viestenz, 63, of Las Vegas, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a five-hour standoff with police and the SWAT team on Aug. 1, but the coroner’s office said Saturday he bled to death from a cut on his left wrist.

He had barricaded himself inside a trailer in the 2600 block of Betty Lane, near the intersection of Nellis Boulevard and Carey Avenue, a little before 4 p.m., police said. SWAT was called to the scene and negotiated with him for hours.

Metro supervisor Lt. Yaz Yatomi said during the incident that it began with an argument between two men. Viestenz stabbed the other man in the arm. Those injuries were not life-threatening, Yatomi said, and the wounded man was sent to University Medical Center.

The North Tahoe Public Utility District said Friday that people could be facing as much as $1,000 more in fees if they don’t follow the new measures, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Utility spokeswoman Pam Emmerich said they are responding to emergency water regulations passed in July by California officials triggered by the ongoing drought.

The new regulations focus on cutting down outdoor water use. For instance, residents only can use outside water from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

People who overuse water will be sent violation notices and five days to take care of the problem. If they don’t remedy the issue, they can face a $100-a-day fine.