Las Vegas Gym Shooter Killed After Weapon Malfunction Prevents Mass Casualties

A gun malfunction during the May 16 shooting at the Las Vegas Athletic Club likely prevented the incident from becoming a mass-casualty event, police reported. The shooter, identified as 34-year-old Daniel Ortega, fired 24 rounds inside the gym before officers arrived and ultimately shot and killed him. Ortega, who worked as a bellman at a Las Vegas Strip property and was an active member at the gym, approached employees and began shooting after a brief verbal exchange. One longtime employee, Edgar Quinonez, was killed, and three others were injured during the incident. Police said Ortega’s weapon malfunctioned during the shooting, which forced him to return to the front lobby and limited further casualties. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing with the involved officers placed on paid leave as standard procedure.