UPDATE AT 11:41 P.M. The suspect has been arrested and the gun and mask have been recovered, according to police. The gun appears to be a fake gun. The identity of the suspect will be released Friday morning.
RELATED: In a post 1 October world, police response is heightened
UPDATE AT 8:20 P.M. Police say they received calls about a person with a gun at the Boulevard Mall on Maryland Parkway. No injuries have been reported and police say no shots were fired. The mall has been evacuated while officers make sure the person with a gun is not inside the mall.
Deputy Chief Chris Jones told the media during a press briefing that video has been obtained of a person wearing a mask and carrying a long gun. At this time, no one has been arrested. Police have brought in police dogs to help with the search.
The incident began shortly after 7 p.m. Road closures may be in effect.
Watch video from inside the Boulevard Mall below
As the news first broke earlier tonight, thoughts of 1 October came to mind. But when it comes to mall shootings in Las Vegas there have been a few isolated incidents. In July 2014, one person was injured during a shooting at the Fashion Show mall. In that case, police reported a scuffle broke out and one man was shot in the neck. There was another shooting in 2016 in the parking lot at Fashion Show mall.
This occurs at a crucial moments for Boulevard Mall. The more than 50-year-old shopping center was once the premier mall in the city but fell into disrepair. It was sold in 2013 to developer Roland Sansone for $54.5 million and then embarked on a $25 million renovation project.
It’s had some near-term ups and downs. After the SeaQuest Aquarium announced in 2016 it would open, Macy’s and J.C. Penney both said last year they would close. In 2018, Sansone announced the Galaxy Theater would open in the fall and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield will open in the second story of the former Macy’s space.
ORIGINAL STORY
There is a heavy police presence at Boulevard Mall. There are reports of an active shooter. Police are reportedly checking each business inside of the mall.
13 Action News has a crew on the scene. We will update this story as soon as we have more information. Video of early report.
Facebook live video from Mahsa Saeidi at the scene
#BREAKING Heavy police presence reported at Boulevard Mall.
We have a crew at the scene to gather more info. Updates will be posted here >> https://t.co/A5CEhzEBBr pic.twitter.com/19IxKgmsx9
— KTNV Action News (@KTNV) May 18, 2018
#BREAKING police on scene of Las Vegas mall. I just arrived— working to get more details. @KTNV pic.twitter.com/CUgdFbezay
— Mahsa Saeidi, Esq. (@MahsaWho) May 18, 2018
