Trans gunman caught in alleged casino terror plot with huge cache of weapons
Las Vegas cops busted a transgender gunman who allegedly planned a casino massacre using a huge cache of weapons.
Allison Howlett, 36, who was born a man but lives as a woman, was arrested Saturday on charges of making terroristic threats, assault with a deadly weapon, auto theft, gun theft and other offenses.
The wild story unfolded shortly after 9:30 a.m. Saturday when Howlett’s former spouse, who is female, called police to report Howlett had stolen her car and the vehicle held numerous firearms, Henderson Police Chief Reggie Rader said.
Howlett’s ex was tracking her stolen car on her phone and led cops to it where it was parked in a garage at Sunset Station hotel, the top cop said.
As officers approached the vehicle Howlett blasted music over the car’s stereo and refused commands to exit. He did, however, ask cops for a drink of water.
“Officers were eventually able to establish communication and convince her to roll down her window during negotiations,” said Rader.
“When she asked for water, the quick-thinking officers developed a plan to take her into custody as an opportunity arose when she reached for the water,” he explained. “Officers used that moment to gain control of her hands and remove her from the vehicle.”
“Ow, OK, I’ll get out,” said Howlett as an officer grabbed one of his hands. Rader said cops stunned Howlett with a Taser while he was being taken into custody.
The officers were shocked to see that Howlett had been sitting on a handgun and had an MP5 submachine gun sitting on the back seat. When cops searched Howlett’s car, they recovered 22 other guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Cops who searched the suspect’s home in Henderson found 30 more firearms, including automatic rifles, plus ammo, grenade launcher attachments and silencers.
Officers said Howlett made several threats going back years, a including a 2024 call where Howlett threatened a mass shooting.
“I swear to God, if the FBI doesn’t come f—— arrest me, there’s gonna be a f—— mass shooting,” Howlett allegedly said in a recording of the call played at Tuesday’s briefing.
“There’s one day you’re gonna be pissing me the f— off, and it’s gonna be the last f—— straw,” he added.
Police said the incident remains under investigation and that investigators are still searching for a motive. Howlett remained in custody at the Clark County Detention Center Wednesday morning.