LAS VEGAS (

KLAS

– A firearm failure during a lethal shooting at a Las Vegas gym on Friday most likely prevented the situation from becoming a massacre, according to law enforcement officials on Monday.

On Monday, authorities identified the shooter as Daniel Ortega, who is 34 years old, according to an initial report from Nexstar’s KLAS.

The police shot and killed Ortega from North Las Vegas following the incident at the Las Vegas Athletic Club last Friday on Rainbow Boulevard near Vegas Drive. Edgar Quinonez, an employee for many years, lost his life during this event.

the business said Saturday

.

Another three individuals sustained injuries from the shooting.

Ortega worked as a bellman at a Las Vegas Strip property, several sources told KLAS. A funeral home caring for his remains had no comment Monday on behalf of the family.


RELATED: Las Vegas Athletic Club resumes operations following fatal shooting

On May 16, just after 1:30 p.m., Ortega reached the gym carrying an Olympic Arms PCR-223 calibre rifle along with several extra magazines, according to LVMPD Assistant Sheriff Jamie Prosser.

Ortega walked passed several people who were leaving the gym and approached an employee, who was working the front desk. Prosser said Ortega then began to “pace” around the front desk while several other people left the business.

A second employee approached Ortega and the two “briefly exchanged words.” The employee ran away after Ortega raised the rifle and began to shoot, hitting the employee.

Ortega followed the employee deeper into the business, continuing to shoot, before making his way back to the front lobby, still shooting, Prosser said.

At some point during the incident, Ortega’s weapon malfunctioned, Prosser said, though she did not specify how. She later said this malfunction “saved the incident from being a mass-casualty event.”

At around 1:35 p.m., several people called 911 to report what was happening, and officers were sent to the gym.

“I think I saw someone come in with an AR,” a person who called 911 said.

Moments later, shots could be heard over the call.

At 1:39 p.m., Officers Kaid Urban, Skeeter Black, and Aaron Javier reached the gym. Upon arriving, all three officers moved toward the entrance where they spotted Ortega.


Officers involved in shooting at Las Vegas gym identified

Officer Javier shot through the window at Ortega. Soon afterward, Ortega exited the gym and tried to flee past the officers, as stated by the police report.

Officer Urban discharged four shots, and Officer Black released one that struck Ortega.

The police subsequently arrested Ortega and initiated emergency medical procedures, as stated by LVMPD representatives. Emergency responders then transported Ortega to a nearby hospital, where he unfortunately passed away due to his wounds and was declared deceased.

More police officers arrived and found Quinonez along with three additional victims who had been shot. Emergency medical staff transported these individuals to nearby hospitals.

Subsequently, law enforcement discovered that an additional individual had gone to a different hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.

During the briefing, Prosser stated that as of Monday evening, the police were unable to verify any potential motives since the investigation was continuing.

She mentioned that Ortega belonged to the gym and exercised there, however, there is no link between the victim and the suspect.

If Ortega had managed to survive, he would have been charged with the following offenses:

  • A single charge of homicide involving a lethal instrument
  • Three counts of attempted murder
  • Three counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a protected person
  • Five counts of assault with a deadly weapon

This incident marks the third officer-involved shooting in 2025 and the third fatal. At this time in 2024, Metro had three officer-involved shootings, with three fatalities.


Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KAMR – MyHighPlains.com.