Guard, gunman dead in Vegas federal building shooting

Last Update: 2:38 pm

(Getty Images/file)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Authorities in Las Vegas say a gunman opened fire this morning the lobby of a federal building, killing one court officer and wounding a second before being shot to death.

The gunfire erupted shortly after 8 a.m. and lasted for several minutes. Shots echoed around tall buildings in the area, more than a mile north of the Las Vegas Strip.

An Associated Press reporter on the eighth floor of a high-rise building within sight of the federal building heard more than 20 shots during the sustained barrage of gunfire.

The U.S. Marshals Service says the victims included a deputy U.S. marshal and a court security officer. The 65-year-old security officer died and the 48-year-old deputy marshal was hospitalized.

The FBI says the gunman died across the street shortly after the shootout. His identity and motive aren't known.

Authorities believe the shooter acted alone.