Metro Police say the armed suspect who barricaded himself on a bus following a shooting on the Las Vegas Strip, surrendered Saturday around 3:15 p.m., and is now in police custody.

The incident on South Las Vegas Boulevard began around 10:48 a.m. in front of the Cosmopolitan.

“Everyone was actually pretty calm. The officers were on edge. You could tell that with the weapons drawn and kind of forcefully asking questions,” said Mike Weix, who was having brunch at the Cosmopolitan when the shooting occurred.

Police say the suspect, described as a man in his 50’s, pulled out a handgun and began firing at passengers on the second story of a two-story RTC bus.

Two people were struck in the shooting. Both people were transported to UMC Trauma. One victim died at the hospital and the other suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

The suspect barricaded himself on the bus. SWAT and crisis negotiators arrived at the scene and worked to get him out of the vehicle. However, at one point, the suspect opened fire again once they deployed robots. Police say they did not return fire.

During negotiations, police say they realized the suspect, who appears to be a local, had significant mental health issues.

Authorities say this was an isolated active shooter incident which was constrained to the RTC bus. The shooting has no apparent connection to terrorism.

“Being from Wisconsin, this wasn’t exactly what I was expecting on my trip to Vegas,” Weix said.

RTC released at statement Saturday evening:

This morning, a shooting occurred on an RTC transit vehicle that services the Las Vegas Strip. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the rider who was fatally shot, and we also extend our sincere sympathies to the injured victim, the bus operator and the other passengers who were aboard during this tragic incident. The safety and security of our transit riders, contractors and staff is our utmost priority. We are working closely with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and remain committed to providing a safe public transportation system.



As this is an ongoing investigation, please contact the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for further inquiries and updates regarding this incident.



~ Angela Castro, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada

Police are now looking to speak with people who saw the shooting. Witnesses are asked to call (702) 828-7777.

Las Vegas Boulevard was shut down from Flamingo Road to Harmon Avenue during the barricade situation. Northbound Las Vegas in now open.

There is no motive for the shooting at this time.