2 dead, 6 injured in Las Vegas knife attack

 2 dead, 6 injured in Las Vegas knife attack

Police announce arrest of suspect and start investigation

Police said he was arrested early Friday morning after an assailant with a large kitchen knife killed two people and wounded six others in stabbing attacks on the Las Vegas Strip.

Three were taken to hospital in critical condition and three others are in stable condition, according to Las Vegas police, who began receiving calls for help with stabbing injuries across the street from the Wynn Hotel and Casino.

Police described the suspect as a man in his 30s and said they were working to verify his identity. I wasn't expecting it to be local.

Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo said the names of the deceased have been withheld until their relatives are notified.

"Local residents and tourists are victims of this crime," Lombardo told a news conference.

The city's deputy police chief, James LaRochelle, said the initial stabbing on the sidewalk east of the Las Vegas Strip was unfounded. He said the suspect then went south and stabbed others.

Authorities said the police followed the man after he escaped and he was later arrested. La Rochelle said police found a long-bladed sword believed to have been used and described the case as an incomprehensible murder investigation.

Lombardo said there were no other suspects in the case and that the sector was safe.

Police said it was too early to speculate on a possible motive for the stabbing.

Witnesses on Las Vegas TV said some of the victims, who looked like showgirls or amusement parks, took pictures with tourists in the strip.