Stabbed man collapses inside casino

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2000 | 5 a.m.

A convicted drug dealer was in critical condition Thursday after being stabbed in the heart in front of the Sahara hotel-casino, police said.

Two men were seen on security videotape chasing the 36-year-old Las Vegas man and then running away after the 5:20 a.m. attack, Las Vegas police Lt. Wayne Petersen said. The camera did not capture the stabbing.

The victim was stabbed 11 times in the chest and neck, including three times in the heart, Petersen said. The victim staggered toward the camera and entered the front of the casino before collapsing.

"How he managed to live, I don't know," the lieutenant said, adding that police didn't know what prompted the stabbing.

The victim's name was not released. Petersen said he was born in Cuba and lived in Las Vegas about five years. He was convicted in 1997 of a felony drug selling charge.

He underwent chest and open heart surgery and remained unconscious in critical condition at University Medical Center, police said.

A description of the attackers was sketchy. Petersen said one wore a white cap and dark jacket and pants. The other wore a light-colored shirt beneath a dark jacket.

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