Police search for suspect after 5 ‘unhoused’ people shot in east Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Las Vegas Metropolitan police continue to search for a lone gunman after one man was killed and four others were hospitalized following a shooting at a homeless encampment in the east valley.

It occurred on Friday, shortly after 5:30 p.m., at East Charleston Boulevard and North Honolulu Street near U.S. 95.

Initial Las Vegas Metro police reports stated that two people had been killed, but later amended their report stating that one person had been killed and four others had been injured.

When officers arrived at the scene they located the homeless encampment and identified five people who had been shot. One of the people shot was identified as a man in his 50s, he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Four other men were injured in the shooting, one of whom was listed in critical condition, another person was identified as a teenage male, police told 8 News Now.

Witnesses told police they saw a man in a hoodie leave the area in a dark sedan but police said they did not have a description of the suspect at the time of the news conference.

When asked if the shooting was an isolated incident police said they were not sure and are still investigating the incident.

8 News Now asked police if the shooting could be connected to similar shootings targeting the unhoused population in recent days in California. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Jason Johansson stated, “This is quite a bit different than that scenario so I am not inclined to say that it is related, but if our investigation takes us that route we will go there, but we are not there right now.”

As of 11 p.m. on Friday, Charleston Boulevard was shut down in both directions between Honolulu Street and U.S. 95. and drivers were advised to avoid the area.

Police urge those with information about the incident to call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.