Two people were tragically killed in a shooting near the iconic Bellagio Fountains on the Las Vegas Strip late Sunday night, June 8, 2025, in what police have described as an isolated incident stemming from an online conflict.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officers responded swiftly to reports of gunfire in the 3600 block of South Las Vegas Boulevard at approximately 10:40 p.m. local time. The shooting occurred outside the Bellagio hotel and casino, a renowned luxury resort famous for its spectacular fountain shows that draw crowds nightly.
Police confirmed that the shooting did not take place inside any casino but on the street near the Bellagio fountains, a popular area bustling with street performers and tourists, especially at night. Officers on routine patrol heard the gunshots and immediately ran toward the source, where they found two individuals suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Despite the prompt arrival of medical personnel, both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Undersheriff Andrew Walsh of the LVMPD revealed that the suspect and the victims were known to each other and had previously engaged in a conflict through various social media platforms. “We believe this to be an isolated incident, knowing that the suspect and the victim had previously engaged in some type of conflict using a variety of social media platforms,” Walsh said during a press briefing scheduled for early Monday morning.
Video footage circulating on social media captured the harrowing moments of the shooting. In the footage, a man wearing a baseball cap and vest is seen engaging in a verbal altercation with a woman in front of the Balloon Sign outside Paris Las Vegas, located across the street from the Bellagio fountains. After a brief exchange, the man pulls out a gun and fires at least seven shots. The woman screams, “Are you f**king kidding me?!” as bystanders scatter in panic. The video also captures the cries of a baby amid the chaos before the camera is taken by a police officer.
The incident sparked immediate fear and confusion, with dozens of people running for cover as police vehicles swarmed the area. Footage from nearby buildings showed a significant police presence responding rapidly to the scene, with streets cordoned off and traffic diverted to secure the area.
Las Vegas locals took to social media to report an active shooter situation, with some describing the scene as chaotic but under control once police arrived. Authorities urged the public to avoid the area while the investigation was underway.
LVMPD has launched a manhunt for the suspect involved in the shooting, believing they have identified the individual responsible. Officials appealed to the public for assistance, encouraging anyone with information to contact the Crimestoppers Nevada Hotline at 702-385-5555.
This shooting on the Las Vegas Strip is a stark reminder of the city's tragic history with gun violence. It comes almost eight years after the devastating 2017 mass shooting, when Stephen Paddock opened fire from his Mandalay Bay hotel room during the Route 91 Harvest music festival, killing 60 people and injuring over 800 others. That attack remains the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, with the motive still officially undetermined.
Adding to the recent wave of violence, this shooting occurred just two weeks after another deadly incident at a Las Vegas gym, where gunman Daniel Ortega fired 24 rounds, killing two people before being fatally shot by police. The United States has already experienced over 140 mass shootings this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, underscoring a continuing crisis of gun-related violence nationwide.
As the investigation continues, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is working tirelessly to locate and apprehend the suspect. The department’s homicide unit planned to provide further updates early Monday morning, aiming to bring clarity and answers to a city still reeling from this latest tragedy.
For now, the famous Las Vegas Strip remains on high alert, with residents and visitors alike grappling with the shock of violence in a place usually synonymous with entertainment and excitement. The community’s resilience will be tested once again as authorities seek justice for the victims and strive to ensure public safety on this world-famous boulevard.
