Public Safety · Downtown Las Vegas
Las Vegas may pause November's First Friday downtown event after a deadly shooting at October's block party
City of Las Vegas officials say November's First Friday could be put on hold while the city, Metro Police and organizers discuss safety after a shooting at October's event killed a 15-year-old boy.
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What happened
November's First Friday in downtown Las Vegas may not happen as planned. KTNV Channel 13 reported that local leaders are weighing whether to put the event on hold as they work to address safety concerns following a deadly shooting at October's gathering. As of KTNV's report, no changes had been formally announced.
On Tuesday, Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley addressed ongoing discussions about the future of the downtown block party and market, according to KTNV. A city spokesperson told the station that "there may be a pause on the event in November" while those talks continue.
The October shooting
KTNV reported that October's First Friday turned chaotic when shots were fired. A 15-year-old boy was killed and two other people were wounded.
A 17-year-old has since been arrested and faces adult charges for the shooting, according to the station. Local leaders are now working to address safety concerns in the wake of the shooting, KTNV reported.
Who is involved in the talks
Several groups are part of the conversation about what comes next. KTNV described discussions involving city government, police, the event's organizers and the surrounding arts district.
City and police
According to the city spokesperson's statement to KTNV, the discussions include Metro Police, the First Friday Foundation and the City of Las Vegas. The possible November pause was raised while those talks continue. More coverage of police and safety issues is in our public safety section.
Arts District businesses
Business owners in the Las Vegas Arts District have called for improved security measures to keep future events safe, KTNV reported. The station also said discussions are ongoing among the City of Las Vegas, the First Friday Foundation and the 18b Las Vegas Arts District.
Organizers' response
The First Friday Foundation issued a statement responding to this month's shooting, according to KTNV. The organization said it is working to identify "the most thorough and appropriate response possible" before any future events take place.
Earlier changes to the event
Organizers have adjusted First Friday before. As KTNV reported in April, they changed the event's end time from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m.
That schedule change was reported months before October's shooting. KTNV noted the earlier change in its coverage of the current safety discussions.
Why it matters for downtown
KTNV described First Friday as a popular block party and market in downtown Las Vegas. Arts District business owners have pressed for better security at future events, and the city, police and organizers are weighing the November date. Readers can follow other downtown and neighborhood stories in our community coverage.
For now, the city has said only that a pause is possible. KTNV reported that the talks were still ongoing and that nothing had been formally decided at the time of its report.
What to watch next
- Whether the City of Las Vegas, Metro Police and the First Friday Foundation decide to pause November's First Friday.
- Any formal announcement of changes to the event, which KTNV reported had not been made as of its report.
- The First Friday Foundation's response, which it said it is working to identify before any future events take place.
- The case against the 17-year-old arrested in the shooting, who faces adult charges.
