This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/las-vegas-hotel-active-shooter-bellagio-robbery-shots-fired-latest-us-police-tourists-shooting-a7649351.html
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Las Vegas: Mass panic at Bellagio hotel after armed robber wearing pig mask opens fire in Rolex shop | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A gang of armed robbers including a man in a pig mask have opened fire at one of Las Vegas’ most famous hotels, sparking panic among tourists. | |
Hundreds fled the Bellagio hotel and casino after the gang targeted its Rolex watch shop in the early hours of Saturday morning, hiding under tables or seeking safety in stairwells. | |
Mayra Guadalupe Yañez was on holiday with her husband and grandchildren when gunfire broke out. | |
She said she saw a man wearing a mask in the shape of a pig’s head and carrying a gun fleeing the Rolex shop. | |
“I heard three shots, he was carrying a gun and took the mask off while he was leaving,” Ms Yañez told The Independent. | |
“I started running as soon as I heard them. We're really scared.” | |
Several witnesses photographed the suspect, showing him wearing a dark shirt and trousers and carrying a bag. Some said the robbers used sledge hammers to smash their way into the shop. | |
Guests described “mass panic” as gunshots rang out at the Bellagio, with hundreds of tourists running outside from the casino area. | |
“Everyone running, I'm currently ducked on the floor under a table,” a woman caught up in the incident wrote on Twitter. | |
She and other guests sought refuge in an emergency exit stairwell after hearing "shots and waves of people running, yelling 'run, run!'." | She and other guests sought refuge in an emergency exit stairwell after hearing "shots and waves of people running, yelling 'run, run!'." |
Police put part of the Bellagio on lockdown as guests were evacuated to safety, with dozens of police cars surrounding the resort on the busy Las Vegas’ Strip. | |
The city’s police department said it was investigating the robbery, adding that initial reports of an “active shooter” were false and no one was injured. | |
“The preliminary investigation suggests that at least three suspects entered a retail store to commit the burglary,” a spokesperson said. | |
“It is believed that at least one suspect fired shots inside the store. At this time, one suspect has been taken into custody.” | |
A member of the Bellagio’s security department told The Independent he could not give any more information on the incident. | |
“All I can say is everyone’s fine,” he added. | “All I can say is everyone’s fine,” he added. |
Parts of the Bellagio resort remained closed while the investigation continued into the early hours of Saturday morning – one of the busiest times for the gambling hub. | |
It is famed for its grand dancing fountains and lake, housing almost 4,000 rooms over two separate buildings, alongside a casino, restaurants, an art gallery, botanical gardens, shops and entertainment. |