A heavily armed suspect accused of a mass shooting plot was arrested Saturday after Henderson police tracked a stolen vehicle to a casino parking garage. There, officers safely took the suspect into custody following a tense standoff. Authorities said the arrest prevented a potentially dangerous situation and led to the recovery of dozens of firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Regional Police Joined Henderson Officers to Neutralize Mass Shooting Plot, Suspect
Henderson Police Department announced Tuesday that officers arrested 36-year-old Allison Howlett after responding to a domestic violence call shortly after 9:30 a.m. Saturday. According to Police, the suspect’s former spouse contacted 911 and reported that Howlett had taken her vehicle without permission.
The caller also warned dispatchers that the vehicle contained numerous firearms and alleged that the suspect had expressed intentions involving a mass shooting or provoking a deadly confrontation with police.
Using vehicle tracking information provided during the investigation, officers located the vehicle near Warm Springs Road and Stephanie Street before hotel security identified it inside the parking garage at Sunset Station.
Police said officers surrounded the vehicle and repeatedly instructed the suspect to exit. Instead, Howlett remained inside while playing loud music and initially refused commands.
Negotiators eventually established communication with the suspect. When Howlett requested water, officers used the opportunity to safely take the suspect into custody. Body-camera footage released by police showed officers moving in after the driver’s window was lowered during negotiations.
Authorities said officers deployed a Taser once while completing the arrest. No officers or bystanders were injured during the incident.
Officers Recover Dozens of Firearms as Investigation Continues
Investigators said the suspect was seated on a handgun when taken into custody. Officers also located an MP5-style firearm inside the vehicle. After obtaining search warrants, detectives recovered 22 additional firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition from the stolen vehicle.
Police later searched the suspect’s Henderson residence, where investigators reported finding roughly 30 more firearms, including automatic-style rifles, suppressors, magazines, and other firearm accessories.
Per the Las Vegas Review-Journal, metro Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren said investigators from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Counterterrorism Section worked alongside the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force during the investigation.
Howlett faces multiple felony charges, including making a threat related to an act of terrorism, assault with a deadly weapon involving domestic violence, grand larceny of a motor vehicle, grand larceny of a firearm, resisting a public officer with a firearm, and additional offenses. Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains active. Detectives continue working to determine the suspect’s alleged motive.
Law Enforcement Highlighted The Suspect’s Previous Threats
Officials also referenced prior threatening statements allegedly connected to the suspect that investigators are reviewing as part of the case. Metro’s counterterrorism section identified recordings from 2024 in which Howlett vowed to carry out a mass shooting.
During Tuesday’s briefing, FBI Las Vegas Special Agent in Charge Christopher Delzotto credited the rapid coordination between Henderson Police, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force for helping resolve the incident safely.
