Megafight gives Metro busier night than usual
In relation to the “fight of the century,” Las Vegas police say they responded to about 1,500 calls above average Saturday night.
“Our call volume was pretty high. By the end of the night, we were up to 5,000 calls,” said Metro Lt. John Liberty.
The megafight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand raised the Strip’s occupancy rate to 98%.
This, Liberty said, compounded with increased patrol, caused Metro’s call volume to throw some punches.
During a “normal” Saturday night, the police department will see 3,500 to 4,000 calls, Liberty explained.
Despite all of the activity, Liberty described only two incidents as serious — both of which are shootings.
A man, who police characterized as a “possible squatter,” is in critical condition after being shot by an apartment complex security guard early Sunday morning.
The shooting occurred about 2 a.m. at the St. Lucia apartments, 2150 Tenaya Way, near Lake Mead Boulevard, when police say the squatter brandished a fake gun during a confrontation with the guard.
In response, the guard fired two rounds, hitting the man, who then fled the scene on foot.
He later presented himself at a local hospital, then was transported to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the stomach, Liberty said. He remains in critical condition.
No arrests have been made, as Metro’s violent crimes unit is still investigating.
About an hour-and-a-half before the apartment complex shooting, Metro’s gang unit responded to a shooting in front of the Tropicana Hotel and Casino.
A verbal altercation between two men escalated about 12:30 a.m., and one man shot the other in the leg, Liberty said.
He was transported to University Medical Center. His wounds are not believed to be life-threatening.
Police say the shooting was isolated and the shooter is still at-large.
Liberty attributed the relatively quiet night to increased police presence on and around the Strip and the department’s proactive approach.
Contact Kimberly De La Cruz at kdelacruz@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Find her on Twitter: @KimberlyinLV
