GhLinks Media
Yoni Barrios, an attacker with a large kitchen knife killed two people, Las Vegas teacher, Maris Mareen Digiovanni and Brent Allan Hallett in stabbings along the Las Vegas Strip before he was arrested Thursday, police said.
Six have been injured and three people were hospitalized in critical condition and another three were in stable condition, according to Las Vegas police, who said they began receiving 911 calls about the stabbings around 11:40 a.m. across the street from the Wynn casino and hotel.
Showgirls and street performers are believed to be among those injured in the attack on Las Vegas Boulevard.
The attack by Yoni Barrios
The horror unfolded around 11:40 am local time on Thursday.
The entertainers who were attacked were said to have been outside the Wynn Casino greeting tourists when the deranged knifeman launched the vicious attack.
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Barrios is thought to have acted alone and investigators believe that it was an isolated incident.
This attack has prompted fears for safety among the strip’s street performers.
Barrios, who does not live in Las Vegas, reportedly had a kitchen knife and told the showgirls he was a chef that wanted to take a photo with them.
Barrios was held by Sands security guards until the police arrived.
Maris Mareen Digiovanni and Brent Allan Hallett were the 2 victims killed by Yoni Barrios
Maris Mareen Digiovanni, 30, and Brent Allan Hallett, 47, were both killed in the crazed knife attack that also saw four showgirls get slashed in broad daylight.
Maris Mareen Digiovanni used to worked as a teacher at 9th Bridge School in Las Vegas.
She graduated with a degree in education from Washington State University, and had worked as a preschool-elementary teacher in both Bahrain and Hong Kong.
Tributes to Maris Mareen Digiovanni
Her brother Gage DiGiovanni wrote: ‘It is with great sadness that we say goodbye and see you later to my amazing little sister. Maris was a victim of the horrific random stabbing of 8 people in Las Vegas today.
‘Please pray for our family and her husband. We appreciate the space to grieve in the coming days and know she touched your lives as she did ours.’
One of Maris’ pals took to social media to pay tribute to the ‘kindest soul.’
Emma Leeson wrote about her friend: ‘Absolutely shocked, devastated and heart broken.
‘The most kindest beautiful soul taken way to young, this is so unfair and should never of happened – I can’t wrap my head around any of it.
‘Thank you for all the incredibly fun amazing spontaneous memories and adventures we got to share together.’
