Police: Man killed in shootout at tattoo parlor

One of two men who stormed a tattoo parlor and pistol whipped an employee died in a shootout after the victim pulled a gun, according to Metro Police.

Two gunmen showed up about 8:15 p.m. at Sin City Ink, 3430 E. Tropicana Ave., and confronted the employee, kicking and pistol whipping him, Lt. Dan McGrath said. There were three employees and a customer present, he said.

When the attackers directed their attention to the patron, the victim pulled out a gun and exchanged fire with the attackers, police said. One of the attackers died at the scene, and the armed employee was grazed in the head, police said.

The other attacker, who was not wounded, sped away in a gold Cadillac Escalade, which was spotted by officers about a mile north on Flamingo Road, McGrath said.

The suspect, Eric Garcia, 28, was arrested and booked at the Clark County Detention Center on multiple counts of attempted murder and being a prohibited person with a gun, police said.

Investigators were combing through evidence early today and trying to determine a cause for the initial confrontation, McGrath said.

Gang investigators were called to the scene.