Caesars Palace hostage suspect Matthew Mannix threatened landlord days before Las Vegas standoff - latest
Las Vegas police arrested assailant and rescued female hostage held in Caesars Palace hotel room
The suspect in a dramatic hostage situation at the Caesars Palace hotel in Las Vegas threatened his landlord in Colorado before going on a drug binge that unfolded in Tuesday’s incident, according to police records.
Matthew Mannix, 35, had an outstanding warrant in his home state of Colorado before he allegedly took a woman hostage at the famous resort. The warrant stemmed from Mr Mannix allegedly threatening his landlord “not to mess with him” because he was “a killer” and a “hunter,” according to Jefferson County court records obtained by FOX 31.
The landlord also told law enforcement that Mr Mannix was in possession of a firearm, which led to four weapons being seized from his home. Due to his previous criminal history, which includes four protection orders against him, he is barred from owning any type of firearm.
Mr Mannix was contacted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office but failed to meet with deputies, prompting law enforcement to issue a fugitive warrant.
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s affidavit for his arrest, both Mr Mannix and the hostage victim, who was not named but was described as having been in an on-and-off relationship with her alleged captor, were suspected of having experienced “drug-induced schizophrenia”.
A SWAT standoff was launched after Mr Mannix allegedly forced the woman into his room before threatening to “shoot someone” if they entered. Mr Mannix was taken into custody about five hours later.
He appeared in court on Wednesday where a judge set his bail at $750,000.
Bystander describes terror at Caesars Palace as assailant threw furniture out of window
North Carolina real estate broker Alyssa Hellman told The Independent she was at the Caesars Palace pool with her wife when she heard a loud bang at about 1.30pm.
She said she looked up to see that a window had been broken on about the 10th floor, and a man inside started throwing furniture out onto the concourse.
“We heard a bang and then one of the windows was broken open, and the guy was throwing things out. Lamps, a TV and a minibar. He’s drawn the curtains now,” Ms Hellman said.
Ms Hellman said guests were evacuated from the pool area, but staff did not explain what was going on.
The couple had retreated to a safe distance and said everyone around them seemed “pretty calm and content”.
“We’re tucked back hidden away, closer to the Bellagio,” she said.
What charges is Mr Mannix facing?
Matthew Mannix, 35, is charged with kidnapping in the first degree, coercion with force, destroying property, resisting arrest without a firearm and disregard for the safety of a person.
Caesars Palace hostage-taker named as fugitive Matthew Mannix
A probable cause affidavit obtained by The Independent revealed that Mr Mannix was allegedly experiencing “drug-induced schizophrenia.”
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Caesars Palace hostage-taker named as fugitive Matthew Mannix
Matthew Mannix had outstanding warrant in Colorado for ‘threatening landlord’
Mr Mannix, 35, had an outstanding warrant in his home state of Colorado before he allegedly took a woman hostage at the Caesars Palace hotel.
The warrant stemmed from Mr Mannix allegedly threatening his landlord “not to mess with him” because he was “a killer” and a “hunter,” according to Jefferson County court records obtained by FOX 31.
The landlord also told law enforcement that Mr Mannix was in possession of a firearm. Due to his previous criminal history, which includes four protection orders against him, he is barred from owning any type of firearm.
Four weapons were seized from his home. The report also notes that Mr Mannix called another man and told him he would “take him out.”
His ex-girlfriend told police that he reportedly also had her two firearms.
Mr Mannix was contacted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office over the phone but failed to meet with deputies, prompting law enforcement to issue a fugitive warrant.
Guests evacuated pool area as suspect threw furniture out of the window
The suspect, who claimed he was armed, spent the morning then throwing large objects out of the window of his hotel room, sending guests on the pool deck running for cover.
Bystander video showed broken glass and debris littering various decks at the Caesars.
The relationship between the suspect and the victim is unclear, but the incident was described as a domestic disturbance.
The suspect’s identity has not been released as of Wednesday morning.
Mr Mannix faced charges in 2017 for allegedly sending threatening texts to his mother
In 2017, Mr Mannix also faced charges in Greenwich, Connecticut, for allegedly sending threats to his mother when she refused to give him money. According to the New Haven Register, he allegedly texted his mother in a “harassing manner” and initiated a countdown for her to send the money.
He claimed in an interview to have anger issues and said he would seek therapy.
“I just started a small business and I was very proud of that, and I wanted to tell her about it but for some reason she ignored me. Like I said before, I didn’t deal with it effectively. That resentment built up and I had a weak moment,” he told News 12 Connecticut at the time.
A Caesars Palace hostage standoff, fugitive warrant and threatening texts to mom: Who is Matthew Mannix?
Matthew Mattix prompted a five-hour standoff with Las Vegas police when he took a woman hostage in a Caesars Palace hotel room. The dramatic scene led to fresh charges on a very long rap sheet.
The Independent’s Andrea Blanco reports:
