Las Vegas Gym Shooter Daniel Ortega Fired 24 Rounds, Police Say

21.05.2025 14:57

Daniel Ortega was named as the Las Vegas gym shooter, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Police identified Ortega as the gunman in a May 19, 2025, news release.

At approximately 1:34 p.m. on May 16, LVMPD Communications "received reports of shots being fired inside the Las Vegas Athletic Club located in the 1700 block of North Rainbow Boulevard, prompting a police response," the release says.

He fired 24 rounds inside the gym, police believe.

The deceased victim Edgar Quinonez, 31, was a "longtime employee" who did not have a connection to Ortega, according to NBC News.

Officers Kaid Urban, Skeeter Black, and Aaron Javier arrived at the scene, "deployed their rifles, and proceeded to the front door of the business," the news release says.

"Officer Javier observed an armed assailant, later identified as 34-year-old Daniel Ortega, standing inside the front entrance and fired one round at the suspect through a window," the release adds.

"Ortega ran out of the business past the officers while armed with the rifle causing Officers Urban and Black to discharge their firearms. Ortega was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground where officers were able to take him into custody. Medical personnel responded and transported the suspect to UMC Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased," it says.

Through the course of the investigation, detectives "learned that at approximately 1:33 p.m., Ortega, entered the business armed with a rifle, and walked to front desk area. After a brief verbal exchange with an employee, he raised his rifle and started firing rounds, striking the employee," it says.

"The victim fled and the suspect continued to shoot. The assailant walked toward the front doors, continuing to fire rounds. At some point, Ortega’s weapon malfunctioned, and shortly after, he encountered officers at the entrance where the officer-involved shooting occurred," the release continues.

"Officers located three individuals suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. One person was pronounced deceased at the scene and the other two were transported to a nearby hospital. It was later discovered that a fourth victim self-transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries," the release adds.

"An examination of this incident is being conducted by the LVMPD Critical Incident Review Team. This review focuses on policy, tactics, and training as it relates to this use of force."

According to News3lv, Ortega "was arrested for DUI and drug trafficking charges in 2013."