SWAT team in stand-off with 'armed hostage taker' in Las Vegas ends with suspect in custody
The UNILAD Team
Featured Image Credit: Independant TV
An hours-long stand-off between an 'armed hostage taker' and police is over.
A SWAT team was able to arrest a man who barricaded himself inside a hotel room on the 21st floor of the famous Caesars Palace hotel-casino in Las Vegas on Tuesday afternoon, while rescuing a female hostage.
The man had spent the morning throwing large objects out of the window, including a television and mini-bar, causing people in the pool deck below to run and duck for cover.
He was holding a woman hostage in the room and claimed that he was armed. The female hostage is reportedly unharmed.
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A guest visiting Caesars Palace from Appleton, Wisconsin shared this video with Channel 13 showing the pool area being evacuated. She said it also looked like a window had been knocked out.
— KTNV 13 Las Vegas (@KTNV) July 11, 2023
[🎥: Emma Snyder]
READ MORE: https://t.co/UxLzcfKIEL pic.twitter.com/xbYbO7KO3X
Videos posted to social media by bystanders show the broken glass and debris littered across various decks of Caesars palace.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said on Twitter that a SWAT team entered the room, captured the suspect and rescued the woman was reportedly forcibly dragged into the room earlier in the day.
"SWAT made entry into the hotel room and has taken the subject into custody. The female who was also in the room is safe and with officers," the LVMPD said on Tuesday on Twitter.
You can see some of the broken glass and debris from the hotel room here overlooking the pool. pic.twitter.com/AfQI9w1ZYD
— Brett Forrest (@brettforrest89) July 11, 2023
"There will be a large police presence with vehicles as this investigation continues and units disperse."
Earlier in the day, the LVMPD warned people to avoid the area.
"A male refused to open the door and stated he was armed. SWAT and Crisis Negotiators are enroute. Please avoid the area and watching for numerous emergency vehicles," they tweeted.
Police have not confirmed whether any guns were found at the scene.