ILLEGAL ALIEN Stabber SENTENCED – Life!

An illegal immigrant from Guatemala who went on a deadly stabbing spree on the Las Vegas Strip in 2022 has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to the murders of two people and the attempted murder of six others.

At a Glance

• Yoni Barrios, an illegal alien from Guatemala, received life sentences for murdering two people and injuring six others on the Las Vegas Strip
• Victims included 30-year-old showgirl Maris Mareen DiGiovanni and 47-year-old Canadian visitor Brent Allan Hallett
• Barrios had a criminal record in California but was protected from deportation by the state’s sanctuary policies
• Initially found mentally unfit, Barrios eventually pleaded guilty but mentally ill to charges of terrorism and murder
• The attack occurred after Barrios approached a group of showgirls with a foot-long kitchen knife on October 6, 2022

Deadly Rampage on the Las Vegas Strip

On October 6, 2022, Yoni Barrios approached a group of showgirls on the Las Vegas Strip armed with a foot-long kitchen knife. In the violent rampage that followed, Barrios stabbed and killed 30-year-old showgirl Maris Mareen DiGiovanni and 47-year-old Canadian tourist Brent Allan Hallett. Six additional victims suffered injuries during the attack. Barrios later claimed he believed the showgirls were mocking him, which triggered his violent reaction.

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Court records indicate that prior to the attack, Barrios had sought employment at the Wynn casino and had expressed a desire to return to Guatemala. When those efforts failed, he obtained a large kitchen knife and headed to the Strip where he encountered the group of showgirls who became his victims. The senseless attack shocked tourists and locals alike on one of Las Vegas’s most famous attractions.

California Sanctuary Policies Protected Barrios from Deportation
Records reveal that Barrios had a criminal history in California before the Las Vegas attack. In 2016, he was prosecuted for dangerous driving but was not turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation due to California’s sanctuary state policies. Additionally, former Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey declined to prosecute Barrios on a 2019 domestic violence charge, allowing him to remain in the country illegally.

“I’ve been doing this for a really long time and this is one of the most tragic cases I’ve ever seen” – Judge Tierra Jones.

These missed opportunities to detain and deport Barrios highlight ongoing concerns about sanctuary policies that prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. Had these policies not been in place, critics argue that the tragic Las Vegas attack might have been prevented, as Barrios would likely have been removed from the country before he had the opportunity to commit these violent crimes.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Initially, Barrios was found mentally unfit to stand trial and spent two years receiving treatment. Eventually, he was deemed competent to face charges and agreed to a plea deal. He pleaded guilty but mentally ill to charges of terrorism and murder, which allowed him to avoid the death penalty. The court sentenced him to two life sentences for the murders, plus additional time for the attempted murders of six others.

“I just want to say from the bottom of my heart that I’m sorry” – Yoni Barrios.

During the sentencing hearing, Anna Westby, a showgirl who survived the attack, spoke about her injuries and expressed forgiveness toward Barrios. In contrast, Maris DiGiovanni’s father testified that he was unable to forgive Barrios at this time. The emotional testimony highlighted the lasting trauma inflicted on the victims’ families and survivors as they continue to grapple with the senseless violence that claimed two innocent lives.

Remembering the Victims

The two lives cut short by Barrios’ violence have left lasting voids for their loved ones. Brent Allan Hallett, the 47-year-old Canadian visitor, is survived by his wife Carmelita, who spoke powerfully about her loss. The couple had spent most of their lives together, building an inseparable bond that was violently terminated by the attack.

“We were together so long that half of my brain is Brent and the other half is Carmelita. I can’t separate us, we are the same. We were together for most of our lives.” – Carmelita Hallett.

Maris Mareen DiGiovanni, remembered for her vibrant personality and generous spirit, leaves behind her husband, family, and countless friends. Her obituary described her as “always the life of any gathering,” and noted how she and her husband frequently opened their doors to friends and family. The 30-year-old showgirl’s loving and accepting nature continues to be celebrated by those who knew her, even as they mourn her tragic and untimely death.