The Boulevard Mall: Masked, Rifle-Wielding Suspect Remains Loose

LAS VEGAS, NV — Police swarmed The Boulevard Mall on Thursday evening after receiving reports that a gunman was inside the Las Vegas shopping center. Dramatic video showed officers rushing people out of the building as numerous police and medical vehicles sat outside and armed officers watched over the entrances.

Authorities stressed that no shots were fired and no injuries were reported. Initial social media reports of an active shooter were false, Deputy Chief Chris Jones told reporters late Thursday.

Police first received the gunman reports around 7 p.m., Jones told reporters. Authorities later obtained video of a masked person who they believe was armed with a long gun.

"That individual has not been located yet," Jones told reporters. "We have done three systematic searches of this entire mall. It is very large. It has taken us awhile, as you can imagine."

Authorities do not yet know what the individual's intent was "coming into the mall with that rifle," Jones said. The investigation will continue through the night until the suspect is caught.

No one is believed to be in the mall, though the suspect could be hiding in a number of locations, Jones noted. Officers were looking to see if the suspect was still inside the mall, located at 3528 Maryland Parkway.

Maryland Parkway from Desert Inn to Twain were closed and residents were asked to avoid the area.

Officers are investigating a person with a gun call at the Boulevard Mall.
No shots confirmed.
No injuries reported.
Maryland Pkwy from Desert Inn to Twain is closed.
Please avoid the area. #LVMPDnews
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) May 18, 2018

This is video from inside the Boulevard Mall as @LVMPD is investigating reports of a person with a gun. We are told no shots confirmed. Video courtesy: Carina Carrillo pic.twitter.com/I35T0xagQU
— Bryan Callahan (@BCallahanKTNV) May 18, 2018

BREAKING: Huge Metro situation at Boulevard Mall on Maryland Parkway. Dozens of units, County fire on scene. Armed officers at the Sears entrance. No details confirmed. @FOX5Vegas pic.twitter.com/CNfjZiog9J
— Kristen DeSilva (@kristendesilva) May 18, 2018

Photos from @MahsaKTNV on scene now @KTNV pic.twitter.com/7Bo0beR1tf
— Joe Bartels (@Joe_Bartels) May 18, 2018

Photo credit: Screenshot Google Maps