A restaurant just off the Las Vegas Strip was damaged overnight after an improvised explosive device detonated outside its entrance; incredibly, the spot was made famous by the movie ‘Casino.’
According to police, a full investigation is now underway involving multiple federal and local agencies, and it’s unclear if it has any connection to the legendary film.
Early-Morning Blast Damages Piero’s Italian Cuisine
Las Vegas police confirmed that the explosion happened at Piero’s Italian Cuisine in the early hours of Thursday morning. Detectives said the incident occurred shortly after 2 a.m., when two men dressed in black approached the restaurant. One suspect arrived on a scooter while the second placed what investigators have identified as an improvised explosive device near the building.
According to reports, the device appeared to contain gasoline. The suspects threw the device toward the restaurant’s porch area. After being placed at the site, the device ignited and burned for several minutes before detonating. Officials said the restaurant was unoccupied at the time of the explosion, and no injuries were reported.
The blast caused visible damage to the exterior of the building, though the full extent of the destruction has not yet been released. Authorities said the report of the explosion did not come in until more than eight hours later, when members of the restaurant’s cleaning staff arrived around 10:30 a.m. and noticed the damage.
Multi-Agency Investigation Into Bombing Near Vegas Strip
Due to the nature of the incident, authorities are treating the investigation as a high-priority case involving multiple agencies. Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that the LVMPD is working in coordination with the FBI. He added that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the department’s counter-terrorism unit are also involved.
It should be noted that Piero’s is well known after it was featured in the 1995 movie Casino, starring Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone. In the movie, it doubles as Pesci’s character’s restaurant, filled with celebrities and politicians.
Officials said investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and tracking the movements of the two suspects. Additionally, they are analyzing remnants of the explosive device to determine its construction. While the device has been described as improvised, authorities have not yet publicly confirmed its exact components or level of sophistication.
Sheriff McMahill addressed the public later on Thursday, stating that the agencies involved are working to identify the suspects and determine their motives. At this time, investigators have not identified any connection between the explosion and broader threats or ongoing cases in the region.
Authorities Reveal No Known Threat To Las Vegas Strip
Despite the alarming nature of the explosion, police emphasized that there is no indication of an ongoing threat to businesses or visitors in the area. Sheriff McMahill stated that investigators have found no signs suggesting additional devices or related incidents are planned.
“There’s no reason for you to feel like there’s a threat to Las Vegas Boulevard or a threat to individuals within the community,” McMahill said. Officials reiterated that the explosion appears to be an isolated event, though the motive remains under investigation.
Piero’s Italian Cuisine, a longtime Las Vegas dining institution, has not yet released a public statement regarding the incident. The restaurant remained closed on Thursday while authorities continued their work at the scene
