Shootout At Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse In Las Vegas Leaves Court Officer, Shooter Dead; U.S. Marshal Wounded

A gunman opened fire in the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse in Las Vegas this morning. Early reports are sketchy, but a court officer is reported to have been killed and a U.S. Marshal wounded.

The gunman is reported dead. People in the building are being evacuated, and federal agents are said to be conducting a floor-by-floor sweep. It is believed initially that the gunman acted alone. What motivated the shooting, which occurred just after 8 a.m., is unclear.

“A Deputy U.S. Marshal and Court Security Officer were shot at the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse in Las Vegas this morning,” the U.S. Marshal’s Service said. “The gunman was shot by Marshals Service personnel and has been pronounced dead. The Deputy U.S. Marshal is in stable condition at a local hospital. Unfortunately, the Court Security Officer succumbed to his wounds and passed away. We are not releasing any names until next-of-kin notifications are complete. The courthouse is still being secured. We do not know the motive for the shooting at this time and the investigation into the shooting is still underway.”

Two U.S. Senators — Harry Reid and John Ensign — have offices in the building.

“My thoughts are with the victims of today’s shooting and their families,” said Reid. “The law enforcement personnel who protect the courthouse put their lives at risk every day to keep the people who are inside safe and I greatly appreciate their service.”

Shotgun casings reportedly were found in the lobby of the courthouse.

View on-scene YouTube video in which the shots at the Las Vegas federal courthouse can be heard:

Monitor the Twitter feed of the Las Vegas Police Department, which is advising people to stay out of the area.