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Shooting at Casino Parking Lot Near Las Vegas Strip Leaves Man Hospitalized

Posted on: January 17, 2021, 01:38h.

Last updated on: January 18, 2021, 03:45h.

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Larry Henry Gaming Regulation, Crime, Politics — Larry Henry is a veteran print and broadcast journalist who spent more than 16 years in Nevada, including serving as legislative reporter for the Reno Gazette-Journal and as political editor at the Las Vegas Sun. He's also written about popular culture for the Mob Museum in Las Vegas...
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Las Vegas police this weekend were investigating a shooting at a casino parking lot that left one person hospitalized, according to a published report.

Police responding to a call about a shooting on Saturday at 2:30 am discovered a victim at the parking lot of the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

The unidentified man had been shot at least one time, police said. The victim was hospitalized in critical condition. He was expected to survive, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Authorities did not immediately release information about any suspects or motive.

The Rio is an off-Strip resort located just west of Caesars Palace. The Rio is outside Las Vegas city limits. However, the combined city-county police department, known locally as Metro, patrols that area.

Crackdown on Crime

Earlier this month, Metro released figures detailing the department’s effort last year to combat violent crime in the tourism areas.

The department referred to this effort as “Operation Persistent Pressure.” This beefed-up police presence occurred on Friday and Saturday nights from Sept. 18 to Dec. 20.

At the time, Sheriff Joe Lombardo referred to late Friday and Saturday nights as the “bewitching hours.” Metro is overseen by an elected sheriff.

During “Operation Persistent Pressure,” Metro arrested 1,229 people and confiscated 64 guns on the Strip and nearby areas. Of the arrests, 36 percent were for felonies or gross misdemeanors. These included assault, robbery, and illegal shooting, according to Metro Capt. Dori Koren.

This effort was prompted by a surge in shootings and fights on the Strip and nearby areas in the last half of 2020. The increase in violent crime led to several people being hospitalized.

Koren recently said the surge in crime has been “resolved to some extent.”

“Violent crime on and around the Las Vegas Strip began to rise significantly in September,” Koren said in a statement published in the Review-Journal. “The primary driver for this activity was related to a sharp rise in firearm-related incidents and aggravated assaults.”

Last year, Koren told county officials that out-of-state gangs and visitors were responsible for “a good portion” the violence.

No Baseball Stadium at Rio Site

Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) ordered casinos statewide to close in March when COVID-19 cases began to spike. The governor allowed casinos to reopen June 4. Some opened right away. Others began operating again over time.

The Rio was one of the last resorts in the area to reopen. It began operating again on Dec. 22.

Earlier this month, an executive for the company that owns the resort dispelled rumors that the Rio would be demolished and that a Major League Baseball stadium would be built at the site.

Civic leaders are hoping to lure a big league baseball team to the Las Vegas Valley. Rumors have persisted that a stadium might be built at the Rio site to lure a team.

However, Eric Birnbaum of Dreamscape Cos. said it is “amazing the rumors that get thrown out there.” He said it “was never the case” that the Rio would be torn down. The resort first opened its doors 31 years ago this month.

Gaming Regulation, Crime, Politics — Larry Henry is a veteran print and broadcast journalist who spent more than 16 years in Nevada, including serving as legislative reporter for the Reno Gazette-Journal and as political editor at the Las Vegas Sun. He's also written about popular culture for the Mob Museum in Las Vegas. As a broadcast journalist, he worked as managing editor at KFSM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Arkansas, where he now lives and where casino growth is a hot topic. A Marine Corps veteran and LSU graduate, he is also an avid movie fan, especially of classic film noir from the 1940s and ’50s.

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joann January 20, 2021

Room rates are too low at major casino hotels. $39 a night attracts a low caliber clientele

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Jill January 19, 2021

My husband and I waited over 3 hours on New Years Eve into New Years Day. We bought 2 shots at the bar after we… My husband and I waited over 3 hours on New Years Eve into New Years Day. We bought 2 shots at the bar after we were approached by 3 Hispanics befriending us. Not long after we were in my room with 2 of them. My husband completely passed out and I was on my way there also. That couple wanted me to do stuff to them and when I said No, the man became really mad. I don't remember anything after that...I honestly thought they left, but it was pointed out to me there was blood on my shirt later. I have no memory of changing out of my dress..I just remember seeing my cash and bank cards fall on the ground. Some few hours later my husband woke up and didn't know who I was. He grabbed me by my hair and when I yelled for help, 3 African American females came into my room and took me to theirs. At that time at least 2 Aftican American males (1 completely nude) ran into my room. I went back right away and the nude guy was holding my wallet. He said "where's your money b*****?). I said I didnt have any and he dropped my wallet and ran out. I saw my new laptop box torn open on the floor, so I went and banged on their door until they opened it and gave it back. I didn't know my ID, 2 credit cards, and both of our bank cards were missing. My husband & I called to be let back into our room and were kicked out. Treated like criminals and was straight out told by their security supervisor on day shift Jeff... Nothing happed to me, we weren't robbed, and ""if" I was assaulted to file a police report. He was rude, unprofessional, and has no clue how to properly investigate a screen. Ernie, the security manager was the same, except when I asked if he would take a report of the incident he refused also. Then said he wasn't going to talk about it with me anymore and hung up on me. I was further more physically abused at Sunrise Hospital. They had 3 men sitting on my chest..this is what I woke up to anyways. My blood pressure dropped to 69/35. I'm 104 lbs. They could have killed me. They sedated me for almost 10 hours, I have no clue where they had me for the 1st 6 hours (my husband couldn't even find me), then was put with other people around 3pm but didnt wake up until 7pm. I remember them taking me to the restroom. 1 female nurse and 1 male nurse. That violates my privacy rights. There were also things the female nurse noticed however tests were not run. Rio takes responsibility for nothing even tho its all on camera.

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Vickie Fort January 17, 2021

These casinos do not hire enough security and they should have to qualify and was able to carry a gun in have a background check… These casinos do not hire enough security and they should have to qualify and was able to carry a gun in have a background check because these out of state gangs are coming in and we need more security that can qualify every 3 months and do a thorough investigation background on

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Crackdown on Crime

No Baseball Stadium at Rio Site

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