A deadly shooting at the Las Vegas Athletic Club on Friday, May 16, 2025, left two people dead and three others injured when a gunman opened fire inside the northwest Las Vegas fitness facility. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. at the gym located in the 1700 block of North Rainbow Boulevard near Vegas Drive.
Daniel Ortega, 34, of North Las Vegas, entered the Las Vegas Athletic Club armed with an Olympic Arms PCR .223 rifle and fired 24 rounds before the weapon malfunctioned. The gunman killed Edgar Quinonez, a 31-year-old employee who had worked at the LVAC location for 15 years. Police shot and killed Ortega as he attempted to flee the scene.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officers arrived at the scene by 1:39 p.m., just six minutes after Ortega entered the facility at 1:33 p.m. Dispatchers began receiving 911 calls about shots fired at 1:34 p.m., according to call audio released by authorities. Multiple callers reported the chaotic scene unfolding inside the gym, with one employee telling dispatchers she was hiding in a closet while gunfire erupted nearby.
Assistant Sheriff Jamie Prosser indicated during a Monday news briefing that a mass casualty event was likely avoided because Ortega’s rifle jammed. The gunman was carrying extra ammunition and magazines when police encountered him. Officers spotted Ortega through the gym’s windows and engaged him as he attempted to exit the building.
Three additional victims sustained injuries during the shooting. University Medical Center received four patients total, with one person in critical condition and others suffering non-life-threatening injuries. One victim self-transported to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to police reports.
The 911 audio recordings captured the terror experienced by gym patrons and employees during the attack. Multiple callers reported hearing between four and five gunshots initially, with one caller describing seeing people who had already been hit. An employee who stayed with Quinonez until the end provided updates to dispatchers throughout the incident. Some gym-goers sought shelter in fitness rooms, bathrooms, and even accessed the roof to escape the violence.
One witness who encountered Ortega outside the gym initially mistook him for a police officer due to his appearance and demeanor. The witness reported that when questioned about his weapon, Ortega claimed it was fake but advised the person to leave the area. Police sources indicated this was not classified as an “active shooter” situation despite initial reports suggesting otherwise.
Investigators determined that Ortega was a member of the Las Vegas Athletic Club, though police found no known connection between the gunman and victim Quinonez. Law enforcement officials reviewed security footage and believe they captured most of the incident on video. The attack was not random, and investigators do not believe Ortega intended to commit a mass casualty attack, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the incident.
Public records show Ortega had previous legal troubles, including accusations of DUI and trafficking of a controlled substance in 2013. North Las Vegas jail records indicate he served community service on the drug charge, while the DUI charge was eventually dropped. Ortega had no declared political party affiliation according to available records.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed this marked the third officer-involved shooting of 2025. Per department policy, the identities of officers involved in the shooting will be released after 48 hours. No officers were injured during the incident, and authorities assured the public there was no ongoing threat following Ortega’s death.
Las Vegas Athletic Club released a statement expressing their heartbreak over the tragedy and confirming full cooperation with law enforcement by providing video footage to aid the investigation. The company stated their prayers were with the victims, families, and team members affected by the violence. Rainbow Boulevard was temporarily closed between Vegas Drive and Lake Mead Boulevard during the investigation.
Police officials stated they are aware of speculation regarding Ortega’s motive but emphasized the investigation remains ongoing. Undersheriff Andrew Walsh confirmed that “we no longer have a threat to the public” following the incident resolution.