LAS VEGAS: At least five homeless people were shot in Las Vegas, one of whom died, police said.
Local KTNV news channel said the incident was reported at 5.34 pm. Near Charleston and Honolulu Street on Friday evening, Xinhua news agency reported.
A spokesperson for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) described the victims as “unhoused”, adding that the attacker was still at large.
Lt. Jason Johanson of LVMPD told a news conference Friday night that officers were directed to a “homeless encampment” consisting of several tents.
There, several witnesses led police to the area where five people were found with gunshot wounds.
Johanson said responding officers provided immediate medical attention until all five victims could be transported to the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, the largest public hospital in the state of Nevada.
So far, a man in his 50s has died in the hospital, while three men in their 30s are being treated, of whom two are stable and one is critical.
Police will remain at the scene overnight to continue their investigation.
ABC 7 news channel reported that Friday’s shooting in Las Vegas was not linked to similar cases in Los Angeles in which three homeless people were fatally shot and may have been targeted by a possible serial killer.
The three victims were sleeping alone on a sidewalk or in an alley when they were killed this week, the Los Angeles Police Department said at a news conference Friday.