| Wayarc Daily | September 16, 2025

The neon glow of the Las Vegas Strip turned somber after midnight on August 30 when a tourist from Chicago was shot by a private security guard near the Grand Bazaar Shops at Flamingo Road. The incident, now under investigation, has raised serious questions about private security protocols and firearm access in high-traffic entertainment zones.

The Shooter: Deangelo Sneed, 20

According to police records, Deangelo Sneed—a security officer employed by Securitas—was not authorized to carry a firearm. Yet, on that night, he brought a gun to work, later telling police he feared for his safety. Surveillance footage reportedly shows a physical altercation between Sneed and the victim moments before the shooting.

Sneed claimed he was “stomped and punched” and fired his weapon to stop the attack. The bullet struck the tourist in the hip. Officers later found the firearm on the floorboard of Sneed’s car. He does not possess a concealed carry permit and has no formal firearms training.

Policy Violations & Legal Fallout

Securitas policy explicitly prohibits armed guards at the Grand Bazaar Shops. A supervisor confirmed to police that their role is “to talk and ask”—not to engage with force. Sneed admitted the gun belonged to his brother and was purchased online.

He now faces two charges:

• Battery with a deadly weapon causing substantial bodily harm
• Carrying a concealed weapon without a permit

Sneed was not in custody as of Monday. Judge Nadia Wood ordered him to wear an ankle monitor, avoid weapons, and stay out of trouble pending his next court date on December 9.

Bigger Questions for Vegas

This incident isn’t just about one guard—it’s about the broader tension between public safety and private enforcement in America’s entertainment capital. With millions of tourists flooding the Strip each year, the stakes are high. Should private guards be armed? Who’s accountable when policies are ignored?

Wayarc Daily will be watching closely as this case unfolds.

WayarcDaily #LasVegas #SecurityShooting #UrbanCrime #TourismSafety