Man Who Stabbed Vegas Showgirls and Tourists Pleads Guilty but Mentally Ill

The man accused of a brutal stabbing spree on the Las Vegas Strip in 2022 that left two people dead and six others injured has pleaded guilty but mentally ill to murder and terrorism charges.

Plea Deal Avoids Death Penalty

Yoni Barrios, 34, entered his plea Thursday as part of a deal with prosecutors, allowing him to avoid the death penalty. Instead, he is expected to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His charges also include attempted murder and battery.

Barrios’ attorney, Scott Coffee, said after the court hearing that the plea agreement “recognizes what everybody in the system knew — that this was the result of mental illness that caused paranoia.”

Attack on the Las Vegas Strip

The violent attack occurred in October 2022 near the Wynn Las Vegas hotel and casino. Authorities say Barrios, wearing a long-sleeved white chef’s jacket and claiming to be a chef, approached a group of performers dressed as showgirls and asked to take a photo with them.

According to police, the women found Barrios unsettling, and one stepped away. Barrios, believing they were laughing at him, suddenly pulled a knife from his suitcase and began stabbing. He then ran down the sidewalk, attacking more people before police apprehended him after a short chase.

Mental Illness and Motive

A police arrest report detailed Barrios’ belief that the women were mocking him, which allegedly triggered his attack. Prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed that his actions were the result of untreated mental illness, leading to the plea of guilty but mentally ill.

Sentencing Scheduled for March

Barrios is set to be sentenced in March. While he will not face execution, his plea ensures that he will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of release.