What started as a typical weekend night in Las Vegas took a horrific turn near one of the city’s most iconic attractions. Just before 10:40 p.m. on Sunday, shots rang out near the Bellagio fountains, sending crowds of tourists into chaos. Two people were killed in the shooting, which happened right along South Las Vegas Boulevard—one of the busiest pedestrian areas in the city.
Police say the attack was not random. Both victims appeared to know the shooter, and the violence may have stemmed from a personal dispute that escalated online.
Who Is the Suspect?
The man accused of carrying out the shooting is 41-year-old Manuel Ruiz. On Monday morning, he turned himself in at a police station in Henderson, a city just outside Las Vegas. He’s now in custody at the Clark County Detention Center and faces two counts of open murder with a deadly weapon.
Authorities believe the motive is connected to an ongoing feud between Ruiz and at least one of the victims. Undersheriff Andrew Walsh told reporters that police are reviewing messages and posts exchanged on social media in the days leading up to the shooting.
Witnesses Describe Panic on the Strip
People who were nearby described a terrifying scene. Tourists were watching the famous fountains dance to music when they heard gunfire and saw crowds running in all directions. Several said they initially thought it was part of a show—until they saw people hit the ground.
Police officers, already on patrol nearby, rushed to the scene within seconds. They found two people fatally wounded and immediately started locking down the area. The victims died on the sidewalk, just steps from one of the most photographed places in the city.
“It was like something out of a nightmare,” one visitor from Texas told local media. “You never expect this to happen while you’re on vacation watching a fountain show.”
Police Say There’s No Ongoing Threat
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department quickly made it clear that the attack was targeted and not a random shooting spree. Ruiz reportedly knew the victims, and the dispute that led to the violence had been simmering online for some time. Investigators are combing through digital messages, social media profiles, and security camera footage from nearby casinos to piece together exactly what happened.
Authorities say they don’t believe there’s a continued threat to the public, but they’re asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or has videos to come forward.
The Impact on Las Vegas
This shooting hits close to home for Las Vegas, a city that welcomes over 40 million tourists each year. The Bellagio fountains are a centerpiece of the Strip, visited by thousands of people every night. The fact that such a violent act happened there, in front of crowds and families, has shaken both locals and visitors.
“We’re heartbroken,” said a spokesperson for the Bellagio. “This is a place where people come to make memories, not mourn lives lost.”
The tragedy also follows another deadly incident just weeks earlier, when a shooter opened fire inside a gym in downtown Las Vegas, killing two people. The back-to-back events have left many asking if enough is being done to prevent gun violence in public spaces.
What Happens Next
Ruiz is currently being held without bail as detectives continue their investigation. Prosecutors are expected to file formal charges in the coming days. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
In the meantime, police are working to notify the victims’ families, and a memorial may be set up near the fountains in their honor.
As Las Vegas tries to return to normal, one thing is clear: even in a city known for its dazzling lights and entertainment, heartbreak can strike in the most unexpected places.
