2 are dead and 6 are injured in stabbings along the Las Vegas Strip, police say

In a tragic incident along the Las Vegas Strip, an assailant armed with a large kitchen knife claimed the lives of two individuals and injured six others before being apprehended by the police on Thursday.

Las Vegas police received multiple 911 calls around 11:40 a.m. regarding the stabbings that occurred on the northern end of the Strip. Three victims were in critical condition, while three others were in stable condition and were promptly hospitalized.

The suspect, who identified himself to the police, is currently undergoing an investigation to determine his true identity. Described as a Hispanic male in his 30s, he is not believed to be a resident of Las Vegas.

Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo, in a press conference, expressed condolences to the families affected by the incident and clarified that both victims' identities were being withheld until their relatives could be notified. He emphasized that both locals and tourists fell victim to this senseless crime.

Deputy Chief James LaRochelle of the Metro Police revealed that the initial stabbing was unprovoked and took place on the eastern sidewalk of Las Vegas Boulevard. The suspect then proceeded south, attacking additional individuals.

After the assailant fled the scene, 911 callers continued to track him until he was successfully apprehended by the authorities. A "large knife with a long blade," believed to be the weapon used in the stabbings, was recovered by the police. LaRochelle described the investigation as a "difficult-to-comprehend murder case."

Sheriff Lombardo reassured the public that there were no other suspects involved, stating that the Strip was secure.

As the investigation is still in its early stages, the police have refrained from speculating about the motive behind the stabbings.

Witnesses, speaking to Las Vegas TV stations, reported that some of the victims appeared to be showgirls or street performers who engage in picture-taking with tourists along the Strip.

According to an account given to KTNV by a woman, the suspect claimed to be a chef and requested to take a photo with the showgirls using his knife. When the group declined his offer, the man allegedly began stabbing people.

Pierre Fandrich, a Canadian tourist, recounted to KTNV that he did not witness the stabbing itself while walking along the Strip. However, he initially mistook the screams of three or four showgirls for laughter. He soon realized the severity of the situation as chaos ensued.

Fandrich described witnessing a woman running across a bridge, another woman lying on the ground, and a third woman with a stab wound on her back as she attempted to aid the fallen victim. He also mentioned seeing a significant amount of blood on the ground, leading him to believe that one of the victims fell from the bridge.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, as law enforcement officials work to gather more information and ascertain the motive behind the attack.