A Chaotic Evacuation at Circus Circus
Unjustified Alert of a Gunman Triggers Evacuation at Circus Circus
This past weekend, a false alarm of a shooter sent panic through the famous Circus Circus Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) responded to the scene around 5:40pm on Saturday, initially reporting possible gunfire, only to later reveal the reports were unfounded.
Despite no victims or verified evidence of gunfire, the LVMPD evacuated Circus Circus out of an abundance of caution. The subsequent pandemonium within the casino saw it transformed into a scene of utter chaos.
Fear and Pandemonium
In a later press release, the LVMPD shared that their investigators had discovered a fight inside Circus Circus had caused multiple additional altercations, resulting in mass hysteria. The resort, known for its history of violent crime, has been the scene of a double fatal stabbing in 2018 and a recent shooting incident resulting in multiple injuries.
Guests in the casino took to screaming and fleeing, their fear palpable. Shahiera Langendam, a visitor at Circus Circus, recounted the harrowing experience as the "most scariest thing I have ever experienced." Reports of rumors about people potentially being stabbed or shot swirled through the terrified crowd.
Return to Safety
Andrew Cannezzaro and his girlfriend, who were visiting another Strip property at the time, were met by a formidable wall of LVMPD officers outside Circus Circus upon their return around 6:30pm. The couple was not permitted to enter, as the property had been secured following the initial report of a shooter. Fortune favored them, however, as guests were eventually allowed back into their rooms around 8pmβthat is, if they could provide proof of being guests of the property. Non-guests were turned away.
Insights: Originally established as a family-oriented resort in 1968, Circus Circus has, unfortunately, become synonymous with Las Vegas' darker history. The propertyβs association with violence and paranormal activity has been solidified by its involvement in confirmed events, as well as folklore and urban legends. In the organized crime era of the 1960s and 70s, Circus Circus reportedly had connections to the mob. While no specific mob-related violence at the resort is detailed in available records, its history coincides with this era, contributing to its notorious reputation. In more recent times, the resort has seen violent incidents such as a double homicide in 2018, though the lack of corroborating reports in mainstream media makes this incident hard to substantiate. In May 2025, another shooting took place at Circus Circus, injuring multiple people. Despite its initial family-friendly orientation, Circus Circus' darker reputation has persisted.
- The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) had to evacuate Circus Circus Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas last Saturday due to multiple altercations, despite no verified evidence of gunfire.
- Luckily, Andrew Cannezzaro and his girlfriend were turned away from Circus Circus by a wall of LVMPD officers after a chaotic evacuation at the resort, known for its history of violent crime and recent shootings.
- The subsequent pandemonium within the casino made it a scene of utter chaos, with guests taking to screaming and fleeing out of fear, as described by eyewitness Shahiera Langendam.
- The entertainment industry has narratives surrounding Circus Circus, a former family-friendly resort now infamous for its association with violence and paranormal activity due to multiple confirmed violent incidents and its history of connections to the mob.
