The man accused of stabbing 8 people, 2 fatally, in front of the Wynn Hotel and Casino, is in the US illegally and has a history of crime in California.
The 32-year-old alleged attacker, Yoni Barrios, is a Guatemalan national with a criminal record in California, a source with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed to Fox News.
It is unclear when Barrios entered the United States.
Barrios was charged with two counts of open murder with a deadly weapon and six counts of attempted murder in the senseless broad-daylight attack.
The deadly stabbing spree began at 11:42 a.m. local time on Thursday on South Las Vegas Boulevard, near two major casinos — the Wynn Las Vegas and the Resorts World Casino.
Barrios had asked a group of showgirls to take a picture of him with a knife. When they declined, he began his alleged deadly stabbing frenzy. Maris DiGiovanni, 30, was killed in the attack.
The suspect told police that he “thought the women were laughing at him and making fun of his clothing,” according to a police report obtained by KKTV.
He then fled and allegedly killed 47-year-old Brent Allan Hallet, with what police described as a “large knife with a long blade.” He was followed by concerned witnesses who called 911.
Among those who were injured, one victim underwent surgery and remains in critical condition. Two victims are in serious condition while the remaining three are reported to be in fair condition.
Video of an injured showgirl in her costume being wheeled to an ambulance (warning: graphic):
Barrios was detained by security guards from the Sands with Metropolitan Police officers while running on a Strip sidewalk, police said. He’s currently being held in the Clark County Detention Center.
He made his first court appearance on Friday where he was ordered to remain in custody, according to KKTV.
We are no longer safe in the United States.
