Unfounded Fear of a Shooter Incident Causes Forced Evacuation at Circus Circus
A false alarm of gunfire sent fear and hysteria surging through the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino on the famous Las Vegas Strip over the weekend, resulting in a panic-induced evacuation.
The initial response came from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) at 5:40 pm Saturday, announcing preliminary reports of gunfire on social media platform X. However, three hours later, the LVMPD posted an update stating the supposed reports of gunfire were unfounded:
According to a press release, the LVMPD evacuated Circus Circus out of an abundance of caution, despite no victims or verified reports of shots fired.
The caution felt more than justified at Circus Circus, where, according to reports, chaos reigned.
Fear and Chaos
As the dust settled, the LVMPD released a subsequent press statement, revealing that the initial hysteria had stemmed from a fight that had taken place inside the casino, subsequently causing multiple other disturbances, sparking the stampede.
Circus Circus isn't a stranger to violent crime scenes. In 2018, the property witnessed a double fatal stabbing[1], and more recently, four individuals were injured in a shooting[2].
Whether consciousness of the casino's past acts of violence influenced the Saturday panic remains unclear. However, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that guests fled the property "in terror for their lives."
One guest, Shahiera Langendam, described the scene as the "scariest thing I have ever experienced," with everyone running, crying, and yelling. Langendam also recalled hearing stories about potential stabbings and shootings.
Only Guests Allowed Re-entry
Another witness's account came from a couple staying at another Strip property. According to Andrew Cannezzaro and his girlfriend, they encountered a line of LVMPD officers as they returned to Circus Circus around 6:30 pm. "We knew right away we weren't getting in..." Cannezzaro stated, "People were saying there was a shooter."
Cannezzaro said that Circus Circus allowed guests back into their rooms around 8 pm, while those unable to provide proof of being guests of the property were denied entry.
[1] Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal, "Double-Fatal Stabbing at Circus Circus in Las Vegas," dated August 18, 2018.
[2] Source: Las Vegas Sun, "4 People Shot at Circus Circus in Las Vegas," dated January 4, 2023.
- The incident at the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, a hub of casino-and-gambling culture, was met with widespread fear and chaos, despite previous entertainment offerings and the casino's popularity.
- Despite the casino's history of violent incidents, such as a double fatal stabbing in 2018 and a shooting in 2023, the casino-culture persists, with some guests still visiting, as evidenced by the evacuation panic which occurred on a recent weekend.
