LAS VEGAS, NV — Las Vegas police are investigating a deadly shooting near the Arts District that left one person dead and two others wounded during First Friday near downtown. Officers were already in the area when gunfire broke out late Friday night, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Police said officers heard shots shortly after 10:17 p.m. near South Main Street and West Charleston Boulevard. They ran into a crowd and found two people with apparent gunshot wounds, and a third victim was located soon after by arriving officers. All three were taken to a nearby hospital, where one person was pronounced dead.
How officers first encountered the shooting scene
The shooting unfolded while Metro officers were patrolling near the First Friday event. The department said the officers heard gunfire in the area and moved toward the crowd as shots were being fired. That quick response led them directly to the injured people.
Investigators have not said how many shots were fired or whether the officers exchanged fire with anyone. The department’s homicide section was notified and sent detectives to the scene to take over the investigation. Police said the incident happened during the final minutes of the event’s activity in the area.
Detectives say a fight preceded the gunfire
According to detectives, the shooting followed a physical altercation involving several people. At some point during that fight, police said, an unknown man produced a firearm and began shooting. Multiple people were struck before the suspect fled the area.
Police have not released a description of the suspect and said he was gone before officers arrived at the exact spot where the shooting happened. Investigators also have not said whether the people involved knew one another or what led to the confrontation. The case remains an active homicide investigation.
Victim identification will come from the coroner
The person who died has not yet been identified. The Clark County Coroner’s Office will release the victim’s name along with the cause and manner of death after the next steps in its investigation are complete.
Medical crews transported the victims to a nearby hospital, where one person was later declared dead. Police have not released the conditions of the two survivors. No information has been provided about ages, genders, or hometowns of the victims.
First Friday organizers and the city respond
First Friday Las Vegas said it was heartbroken by the shooting and confirmed that three people were injured in the vicinity of the event near the end of the evening. The organization thanked Las Vegas Metro police for what it called a swift response and said it was devastated by the impact on attendees, artists, vendors and musicians.
The group said it is waiting for more information before deciding on any future events and plans to provide a thorough response before making new announcements. The city of Las Vegas told News 3 that it, the First Friday Foundation and Metro Police are reviewing what happened and plan to meet to discuss possible next steps.
Police are asking witnesses to come forward
LVMPD is urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact its homicide section at 702-828-3521 or by email at [email protected]. People who want to remain anonymous can reach Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or through its website.
Investigators have not said whether surveillance video, witness statements or other evidence has already been collected. For now, the department is treating the case as a deadly shooting tied to a confrontation that turned violent in a crowded area near downtown Las Vegas.