Key points

• Mayor Berkley says November First Friday will likely be paused
• Oct. 2 shooting at the event killed a 15-year-old, wounded two
• City, Metro and organizers are working on safety changes

First Friday, the monthly arts gathering in downtown Las Vegas' Arts District, will likely not be held in November, Mayor Shelley Berkley said Tuesday, as the city responds to a deadly shooting at this month's event.

Berkley told News 3 at an IMEX trade show event at the Las Vegas Convention Center that the event will probably take a pause while the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department works with the city's Department of Public Safety and the First Friday Foundation.

The mayor said the city is not ending First Friday, calling it too important to the city, but said officials have to make sure it is safe for everyone.

Shooting at anniversary event

The shooting happened shortly after 10:15 p.m. on Oct. 2, during First Friday's 24th anniversary, near South Main Street and West Charleston Boulevard. Police said a fight broke out among several people before gunfire struck three people. A 15-year-old Desert Pines High School student died, and two others were wounded.

Police later arrested a 17-year-old on murder and attempted murder charges, alleging he opened fire during a confrontation between two street gangs. At a court appearance Tuesday, a judge ordered him held without bail.

Businesses float changes

Organizers have said they will settle on a response before planning or announcing future events. Nearby business owners have suggested a smaller event, ticketing, fencing, metal detectors or limiting entry to adults 18 and older. Before the October event, Metro had reminded the public of an enhanced downtown curfew for anyone under 18 without a parent.

Sources News 3 · News 3 2 · 8 News Now · 8 News Now 2 · 8 News Now 3 · FOX5 · News 3 3
Photo ClearLight602 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

KoreanVegas wrote this article with AI assistance, based on the reports above.