The victim in last week’s shooting at a Las Vegas fitness center has been identified as a longtime gym employee who had no connection to the shooter, police said Monday.
Edgar Quinonez, 31, was shot and killed by Daniel Ortega, 34, on Friday afternoon at the Las Vegas Athletic Club, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police.
Three other victims had to be hospitalized, including one person in critical condition.
Ortega was armed with a rifle when he entered the gym just after 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Jamie Prosser, LVMP assistant sheriff, said at a media briefing on Monday.
After approaching an employee at the front desk, Ortega began “pacing” in the area, Prosser said. He was then approached by a second employee, later identified as Quinonez, and the two briefly exchanged words.
After a brief verbal exchange, Ortega “raised his rifle and started firing rounds, striking the employee,” police said.
Ortega continued firing rounds inside the gym before returning to the front desk area. He only stopped firing when his weapon appeared to malfunction, according to police.
That’s when LVMPD arrived. Ortega attempted to run past the officers and was subsequently shot. He died later at a nearby hospital according to authorities.
“Fortunately, [Ortega] had a malfunction in his weapon, which saved this from becoming a mass casualty event,” Prosser said.
Police say Ortega worked out at that gym, but “as of now, there is no connection between the victim and the suspect based on the investigation.”
Quinonez, a 15-year employee of LVAC, is being remembered as a “source of kindness, dedication and positivity.”
“His presence touched the lives of so many members and teammates, and his impact will never be forgotten,” gym management said statement shared on social media.
