In a heartbreaking turn of events, the Las Vegas Aces have abruptly canceled their long-awaited championship parade just hours before it was set to light up the Strip. The decision comes in the wake of a horrific knife attack outside the Mandalay Bay Resort, leaving three fans critically injured and casting a shadow over what promised to be the city’s third consecutive celebration of WNBA glory.
The parade, scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. along Las Vegas Boulevard from Tropicana Avenue to Toshiba Plaza, was meant to honor the Aces’ dominant 4-0 sweep of the Phoenix Mercury in the 2025 Finals. Led by MVP A’ja Wilson’s record-shattering 291 postseason points, the team had clinched their third title in four years with a thrilling 97-86 victory on Wednesday. Thousands of fans, decked in red and silver, had already begun lining the west side of the Strip by midday, waving signs and chanting “Three-peat!” Organizers had promised a star-studded rally with performances, player speeches, and a pop-up merchandise store opening at 3 p.m.
But chaos erupted around 1:30 p.m. when a deranged assailant, identified as 34-year-old transient Marcus Hale, lunged at parade-goers near the Mandalay Bay’s entrance. Witnesses described a “brutal frenzy” as Hale, wielding a 12-inch hunting knife, slashed indiscriminately at excited supporters gathered for early tailgating. “It was like a nightmare unfolding right there on the sidewalk,” said bystander Elena Vasquez, a die-hard Aces fan from Henderson. “Blood everywhere—people screaming, running into the casino for cover.”
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police responded within minutes, subduing Hale with tasers after a brief chase. He was arrested on charges of three counts of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. The victims—a 22-year-old mother with her young daughter, a 45-year-old retiree, and a 28-year-old college student—were rushed to University Medical Center in critical condition. Surgeons reported deep lacerations to the arms, torso, and neck; two underwent emergency blood transfusions.
Aces head coach Becky Hammon addressed the media in a tearful press conference at Michelob ULTRA Arena. “Our hearts are shattered. This city gave us everything to celebrate, and now violence has stolen that joy from our fans, our players, and our community,” she said. Team owner Mark Davis echoed the sentiment, calling the attack “a senseless gut punch to Sin City’s spirit.” The cancellation was immediate, with roads reopening by 4 p.m. and refunds issued for event parking.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert praised the swift action, announcing a league-wide moment of silence at all upcoming games. Local leaders, including Mayor Carolyn Goodman, vowed enhanced security for future events, while counseling services were activated at T-Mobile Arena for traumatized fans.
As the sun set over a subdued Strip, neon lights flickered without fanfare. The Aces’ triumph—fueled by Wilson’s fadeaway heroics and Kelsey Plum’s clutch defense—now feels bittersweet. For Las Vegas, a town built on resilience, healing begins tomorrow. But tonight, the parade dreams dissolve into prayers for the wounded.
