LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — There was a stern warning from Las Vegas Metropolitan Police on Monday after a string of violent house parties have happened at illegal short-term rental properties.
“Those of you who own these properties, or those of you promoting these properties, be warned,” says Capt. Reggie Rader.
Short-term rentals are illegal in Clark County and in the City of Las Vegas without a permit held by the property owner, according to police.
Capt. Rader says in the past several months there have been 15 shootings and 3 murders happening at these types of properties.
On Saturday, 23-year-old Ashton Price, a star college football player from California, was killed at a house party near Sahara Avenue and Sloan.
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“The investigation revealed he was an innocent bystander who got caught in the crossfire,” says Rader.
On July 23, a man was stabbed to death at short-term rental property near Decatur Boulevard and Silverado Ranch.
According to authorities, around 200 people were there for a party when the man was stabbed.
It’s believed both parties were organized by unlicensed party promoters.
“Both of these promoters implemented cover charges, and served alcohol outside licensed venues which is also illegal,” says Rader.
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Paul Nicholls has been promoting events for over a decade and says illegal parties can be a big risk because unlicensed promoters usually don’t have insurance or adequate security.
He also says the coronavirus pandemic has unfortunately created an environment for illegal promoters to thrive.
“If they don’t allow licensed responsible promoters who actually care about their communities, and care about people’s safety to find creative ways to get people something to do, we’re going to be replaced by unlicensed, illegal promoters and then you’re going to have serious problems,” says Nicholls.
You can watch the news conference in full here: Facebook page.
