Las Vegas Strip Stabbing: Man Indicted on Terrorism, Murder Charges

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — A grand jury has indicted Yoni Barrios, 34, on terrorism and murder charges following a deadly stabbing spree on the Las Vegas Strip in October 2022 that left two dead and six injured. The attack, captured on video, shows Barrios lunging at a group of showgirls outside the Wynn Las Vegas before stabbing multiple victims indiscriminately, according to prosecutors.

Barrios allegedly approached the showgirls, claiming to be a chef, and asked to take a photo with them while holding a foot-long kitchen knife. Witnesses reported that Barrios became enraged, believing the women were mocking his appearance, and began attacking them. Maris DiGiovanni, 30, a showgirl and school teacher, and Brent Hallett, 47, were killed in the rampage. Six others sustained injuries.

Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney John Giordani described the attack as indiscriminate, with Barrios stabbing victims as he ran down Las Vegas Boulevard. Surveillance footage shows Barrios stabbing DiGiovanni before targeting Hallett and others. Barrios was eventually apprehended by police inside the Sands Expo.

According to court documents, Barrios told investigators he was trying to sell his knives to raise money to return to his home country, Guatemala. He had reportedly sought employment at the Wynn casino as a janitor and chef prior to the attack. Barrios also requested that casino security contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to facilitate his deportation.

Barrios’ indictment includes charges of terrorism, murder, and attempted murder. His case will automatically move to district court, where prosecutors will determine whether to seek the death penalty if he is convicted. Barrios is scheduled for arraignment on January 9, 2025.

Court records reveal Barrios has a prior criminal history, including a dismissed domestic violence charge in Los Angeles in 2019 and a 2016 conviction for reckless driving in Riverside, California. Had the domestic violence case proceeded, Barrios could have faced deportation. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed Barrios expressed a desire to return to Guatemala during his arrest.

The attack has left the Las Vegas community in shock, with DiGiovanni remembered as a beloved showgirl and educator. Cheryl Lowthorp, owner of the Best Showgirls In Vegas agency, described DiGiovanni as a dedicated professional and expressed grief over the senseless violence.