LAS VEGAS – A suspect was in custody Thursday after two people were fatally stabbed and at least six others were injured in an attack on the Las Vegas Strip, police said.
The stabbings were reported just after 11:40 a.m. in front of a casino on the Strip near Desert Inn Road, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
In addition to the two people killed, three people were in critical condition and three others were hospitalized, according to Deputy Chief James LaRochelle.
The stabbing appeared "unprovoked," LaRochelle said, adding that there was no apparent altercation between the suspect and initial stabbing victims. The eight victims included locals and tourists, police said.
"Our hearts are with all those affected by this tragedy," Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak said on Twitter. "At the State level, we will continue to work with partners in law enforcement to make resources available on the ground and ensure the Las Vegas Strip remains a safe and welcoming place for all to visit."
Police have not yet identified the suspect, but said he was a Hispanic male in his 30s. LaRochelle said investigators believe the suspect is not a local resident.
Witnesses told Las Vegas TV stations that the stabbings occurred in multiple locations, and some of the victims appeared to be showgirls who take pictures with tourists on the Strip.
Pierre Fandrich told KTNV he saw “a lot of blood” as one woman ran across a bridge, one was on the ground, and another had a stab wound on her back as she tried to help the fallen woman. A bystander performed CPR until authorities arrived, he said.
LaRochelle said the suspect used a large knife with a long blade, which authorities recovered.
“This is clearly a very tragic and hard-to-understand, hard-to-comprehend murder investigation," LaRochelle said.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, a local government agency in charge of promotion, said in a statement that "all indications are that this was an isolated incident perpetrated by one individual."
"Our hearts are with all those affected by today’s tragic incident on the Strip. Our destination has always placed the highest priority on the safety of our residents and visitors," the statement reads.
Follow Rio Lacanlale on Twitter: @riolacanlale.
Contributing: The Associated Press
