LAS VEGAS — The Arts District is still reeling after gunfire erupted during the 24th anniversary of First Friday, leaving one person dead and two others injured.
Chaos unfolded as shots rang out Friday night, causing crowds to scatter for cover, including into nearby shops like Lex’s Topcat Tattoo Club. Security camera footage captured the frantic scene of people running to safety.
Hours later, business owners expressed their fears. Lex stated, “I’m afraid. My employees are afraid too. This will probably be like our last First Friday. We don’t know how we’ll do it.”
In a nearby shop, a bullet lodged into Jimi Mastronardi’s Star Las Vegas window during the incident. He remarked, “Our windows are bulletproof. Luckily, it didn’t go through or hurt anyone.” Mastronardi reflected on the chaos, noting a fortunate absence of a DJ who would typically have been performing on-site.
Mastronardi added that the shooting is emblematic of his frustrations with First Friday. “I think it’s just dangerous that way,” he said, questioning the event’s future and whether a more organized approach could benefit the community.
Concerns have also been raised regarding unsupervised teenagers at the event, with Arts District leaders like Tony Chavez acknowledging a troubling trend. Chavez stated, “Our main thing is we want to keep this community as safe as possible,” noting potential safety measures, including metal detectors.
Following the shooting, several events were canceled, and Metro police are striving to manage unsupervised teens, implementing curfews on Fremont Street. The identity of the deceased victim has not been released, and the search for the suspect continues.
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