Las Vegas Sun

May 6, 2024

Coroner IDs man killed in random knife attack

Richi Briones

Richi Briones

Authorities in Las Vegas have identified a 31-year-old man who police say was attacked at random and stabbed to death by a man whose mental health is being questioned.

The Clark County coroner reported today that Balente Gonzalez died of chest and neck wounds after the Wednesday morning attack at a convenience store east of downtown.

Police say a 52-year-old man who was critically wounded in an attack in an alley by the same knife-wielding assailant is being treated a hospital in Las Vegas.

The alleged attacker, 32-year-old Richi Briones, is also accused of wielding a survival-type knife while chasing a man in an earlier attack.

Police say Briones made comments about drugs and cartels and appeared to have been suffering a mental episode.

Briones' mother says he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.