Newsman: Two people are killed and six people wounded in Las Vegas by a series of stabbing in front of Las Vegas casino. Police say, An attacker with a large kitchen knife killed two people and wounded six others in stabbings along the Las Vegas Strip. Three people were hospitalized in critical condition and another three were in stable condition, according to Las Vegas police. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a news release. One victim died at the scene, and another was pronounced dead at a hospital, police said.
A suspect is in custody. Authorities said the suspect identified himself to police and they are working to determine his “true identity.” They described him as Hispanic and in his 30s, and said he does not appear to be a Las Vegas resident.
The suspect 32-year-old Yoni Barrios, was taken into custody on two counts of open murder with a deadly weapon and six counts of attempted murder with a deadly weapon, police said in the news release. The suspect has been booked into Clark County Detention Center. It is unclear if Barrios has legal representation.
Metro Police Deputy Chief James LaRochelle said the initial stabbing was unprovoked and on the eastern sidewalk of Las Vegas Boulevard. He said the suspect then headed south and stabbed others.
Police began receiving 911 calls about the stabbings around 11:40 a.m. on the north end of the Strip- Metro Police Deputy Chief James LaRochelle said.
Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo said the names of the two people killed were being withheld until their relatives can be notified.
“Locals and tourists are the victims of this crime,” Lombardo said at a news conference.
The man fled and was followed by 911 callers before he was taken into custody, authorities said. Police recovered the “large knife with a long blade” believed to have been used, LaRochelle said, calling the case a “hard-to-comprehend murder investigation.”
Lombardo said there were no other suspects in the case and “the Strip is secure.”
Police said it was too early in their investigation to speculate on a possible motive for the stabbings.
Witnesses told Las Vegas TV stations that some of the victims appeared to be showgirls or street performers who take pictures with tourists on the Strip.
A large kitchen knife was found at the scene, police said.
Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said the victims were a combination of locals and tourists, and police will provide information on them after their families have been contacted. .
“Our thoughts are with the victims of this senseless attack on the Strip today,” Clark County officials said in a statement posted on Facebook. “We are grateful for the quick response from our Clark County Fire Department, LVMPD and other first responders.”
