Tuesday, March 13, 2012 | 6:41 p.m.
The police officer who fired shots Sunday during a shootout in a Rio parking garage has been identified as Raymond C. Steiber III, Metro Police said.
Steiber, 25, is the son of Metro homicide Lt. Ray Steiber, who will not be involved in the investigation, Metro spokesman Marcus Martin said.
Metro officers who were working at a special hip-hop event at Crown Nightclub at the Rio responded to reports of shots fired in a Rio parking garage about 3:50 a.m. Sunday.
As the six officers and one sergeant approached a walkway to the east parking garage, they observed blood on the ground and a metal baseball bat in a trash can, police said. Then they heard numerous rounds of gunfire inside the parking garage.
During the shootout, Steiber fired shots at one person who continued running toward him after he saw a muzzle flash, police said. The person was struck, but police have not determined whether the officer's shots or other gunfire hit him.
Crown Nightclub on Tuesday also announced on its Twitter feed that it would be closed Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for at least 30 days. But police have said they weren't sure whether those involved in the parking garage shooting had been at Crown Nightclub or intended to go there.
After the Rio shootout, which injured two other people, another shooting occurred a short time later outside University Medical Center, where two victims had been transported, police said.
Two males struck outside the hospital also suffered gunshot wounds not considered life-threatening, police said.
Police classified the back-to-back shootings as gang-related because several victims were known to have gang affiliations. It's unclear, however, whether a confrontation between rival gangs sparked the shootings, police said.
The shooting prompted increased security and police presence at University Medical Center.
Police have not arrested any suspects so far, Martin said.
The younger Steiber, who fired shots in the parking garage, has been employed with Metro since September 2006 and is currently assigned to the patrol division in the downtown area command, police said.
Carnival lasts all year at the Rio. With a float occasionally passing overhead and dropping beads while feathered dancers fire up the gamblers below, the Rio tries to keep its 120,000-square foot casino jumping with excitement. Special Brazilian mixed-drinks are also served throughout the casino. The hotel suites tend to be larger than similar priced rooms on the Strip and many offer excellent views with floor to ceiling windows.
The Rio offers some quality shows like "Penn & Teller" and "Chippendales." Many come to the Rio for the nightlife at the VooDoo Lounge, located on the 51st floor, or McFadden's Irish Pub on the casino level.
Others come for a bit relaxation at the Rio Spa or pool area and still others come to shop at the hotel's 60,000 square feet of shops. In each of these endeavors, the Rio attempts to make the experience a bit more fun and spontaneous.
The Rio also offers guests a variety of dining choices from all-American food at the All-American Bar & Grille to Gaylord India Restaurant for something a little spicier and even Carnival World Buffet for the indecisive.
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