Two people died and six were injured in a knife attack outside a casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
The attacker, called by the police Yoni Barrios, 32, was armed with a large kitchen knife during the “unprovoked” attack.
Showgirls and street performers are believed to be among those injured in the attack on Las Vegas Boulevard, in front of the casino and the Wynn hotel, around 11:40 am.
Of the six injured brought to hospital, three are in critical condition and the other three are reported to be stable.
The Clark County Coroner’s Office named the two dead people as Las Vegas residents Brent Hallett, 47, and Maris Digiovanni, 30, according to local news.
Barrios, who does not live in the city, fled on foot but was chased by passers-by and arrested.
He faces two counts of murder and six of attempted murder, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said Friday.
Police recovered a “large long-bladed knife” which is said to have been used during the attacks.
No other suspects are believed to be involved.
Police said it was too early to speculate on a motive and that the attack was “difficult to understand”.
However, a witness told a local television network that the suspect was a chef who wanted to take a photo with a group of showgirls and his knife.
He went wild when the group refused, the woman told KTNV.
The attack took place Thursday morning and witnesses said they saw a lot of blood and heard Pic: AP screams
Police found a long-bladed knife at the scene and said no one else was involved in the Pic: AP attack
Other witnesses said they saw “a lot of blood” and heard the victims scream.
Jason Adams told KLAS-TV: “This guy came, ran up and started stabbing this lady in front of me and she ran around the escalators and tried to go up under the bridge and her girlfriend was standing. trying to help her, “he said.
Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo said, “Locals and tourists are the victims of this crime.”
Steve Sisolak, the governor of Nevada, wrote on social media: “Our hearts are with all who have been affected by this tragedy.”
“At the state level, we will continue to work with law enforcement partners to make field resources available and ensure that the Las Vegas Strip remains a safe and welcoming place for all to visit.”
