The Las Vegas Strip was bedlam Thursday morning as gunfire at a stoplight led to a fiery multiple car crash. Three people died and at least six were injured, according to the Associated Press.
Police believe an altercation earlier at a hotel prompted the car-to-car attack, which occurred at Las Vegas and Flamingo boulevards, the site of several major casinos, including Bellagio, Caesars Palace and Bally's.
"This doesn't happen where we come from, not on this scale," said Mark Thompson, who was visiting from Manchester, England, with his wife. "We get stabbings, and gang violence, but this is like something out of a movie. Like 'Die Hard' or something."
Police were contacting authorities in three neighboring states about the Range Rover Sport with tinted windows and paper dealer plates that fled the scene about 4:30 a.m.
Police said the Maserati hit the taxi cab, which went up in flames, and the driver and passenger were killed. The male driver of the Maserati also died, and his passenger was shot. The cars were stopped at a light when at least one person in the Range Rover opened fire. The incident is still under investigation.
Several people were inside the vehicle, described as a four-door SUV with big black rims. A total of six other vehicles were involved in the crash that followed, including the taxi and Maserati. The driver and rear passenger were dead at the scene. The taxi might have been propane-powered.
Las Vegas Police Officer Jose Hernandez acknowledged that the Strip has seen several violent incidents in recent weeks but said police have made arrests or identified suspects in each case.
"People don't have to worry," he said. "This is an unusual occurrence, as tragic as it may be."
