News 3 viewer Brian Dunlap tells us this is the man police took into custody. We are working to get the details confirmed at this time,
There was a massive law enforcement response to a fatal shooting at a Las Vegas Starbucks.
The incident occurred at the Starbucks at Rainbow and Warm Springs at about 11:30 a.m. One person was killed, as people in nearby businesses took shelter, the suspect claimed to have a bomb, and early reports indicated that the man might have taken hostages.
The suspect is now in custody, and the motive is unknown. The Starbucks incident comes on the heels of the fatal shooting at a mall in Burlington Washington by Arcan Cetin, a Turkish immigrant.
Police say the Vegas incident on September 25 does not appear to be terrorism-related at this point.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. A Backpack With Possible Explosive Device Was Placed in a Doorway, Reports Say
A Hostage Situation going on @Starbucks at Rainbow & Warm Springs from @News3LV Chopper
According to CBS 6 Albany, “radio traffic indicated that a backpack was found in the doorway of the Starbucks and the suspect indicated that it was an explosive device.”
Police have now tweeted that the device was deemed safe, and the situation has switched to an investigation from an active scene.
We’ve transitioned from active scene to investigation. 1 detained, 1 deceased. Poss. explosive device deemed safe. Area remains closed.
Police called the incident a “confusing event” that involved a shooting, according to Fox 5 Vegas.
2. The Suspect Was a Man in His Forties
The suspect was described as a man in his 40s wearing a baseball cap.
The suspect’s backpack and vehicle were being investigated.
3. The Original Call Was for a Hostage Situation That May Have Stemmed From a Fight
Although initially the incident was investigated as a hostage situation, it does not appear that the man actually took hostages.
Shooting happened at a Starbucks: deemed a hostage situation at first because shooter had mixed in with the patrons/employees @LasVegasSun
However, word of a possible hostage situation quickly spread online.
One local news reporter said the incident stemmed from a fight:
.@LVMPD say one victim is dead from hostage incident involving shooting. Appears it started with two men fighting.
ABC News also said that two people were arguing inside the Starbucks when one shot the other.
4. The Suspect Was Taken Into Custody
Situation at #LasVegas Starbucks via Bryan Dunlap
News3lv said the suspect was taken into custody and ran a photo from a viewer of the man with his hands up.
The Las Vegas police reported that the man was detained:
Working a hostage/barricade incident in the area of Warm Springs & S. Rainbow. 1 subject has been detained. SWAT responding. Avoid the area.
5. At Least One Person Was Fatally Shot
According to news3lv, at least one person was killed in the incident, and employees in local businesses took shelter while police asked the public to avoid the area.
The person was shot in the chest, said the television station. The victim’s identity has not yet been released.