Las Vegas police are investigating reports of an “active shooter” late on Sunday evening in the US city, with local media showing people fleeing amid the sound of rapid gunfire.
The Metropolitan Police Department said on Twitter that it was investigating the incident at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, a sprawling complex with 3,200 rooms, where a country music festival was taking place.
Local television stations played video that showed individuals screaming “get down” and hiding amid the sound of what appeared to be rapid gunfire. The video showed police and ambulance streaming into the area.
University Medical Center, a hospital with a major trauma unit, had taken-in several victims, a spokesperson said to Fox KVVU-TV.
Authorities on Twitter warned people to avoid a portion of the strip, which is known for its nightlife and gambling. The strip is a major tourist attraction, drawing some 42m visitors a year.