Thunder From Down Under strippers tackle gunman at Las Vegas hotel
Thunder From Down Under strippers tackle gunman who tried to steal suitcase of costumes
An armed man who tried to steal a suitcase of costumes and props used by the all-male dance group Thunder From Down Under was tackled by six of the muscular strippers before being arrested.
He fired a shot at the head of one member before being subdued, suffering a black eye and a badly bruised face, Las Vegas police said.
His .44 calibre Magnum handgun was wrestled out of his hand during the scuffle backstage at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino on Tuesday evening.
The bullet struck a wall, the gun fell to the floor and six members of the Australia-based group held the man until hotel security arrived, a police report said.
The suspect, who appears to be in his 20s, identified himself, but police suspect he provided a fake name. He suffered unspecified injuries and was hospitalised before being jailed.
A jailhouse booking photo shows a black eye and facial bruises from the scuffle. "The suspect definitely got the worst of it," Las Vegas police officer Laura Meltzer said.
The suspect was awaiting an initial court appearance on felony attempted murder, armed robbery and burglary with a weapon and could face decades in prison if he is convicted. One of the strippers was treated at the Excalibur for minor injuries.