A Las Vegas elementary school teacher was stabbed to death by a madman with a kitchen knife - who also injured eight others during a rampage on the city's famous strip.
Maris Mareen Digiovanni, 30, and Brent Allan Hallett, 47, were both killed in the crazed knife attack that also saw four showgirls get slashed in broad daylight.
Police arrested and charged Yoni Barrios, 32, with murder following the fatal stabbing on the Las Vegas strip.
The horror unfolded around 11:40 am local time on Thursday.
The entertainers who were attacked were said to have been outside the Wynn Casino greeting tourists when the deranged knifeman launched the vicious attack.
Maris' heartbroken brother paid tribute to his beloved sister last night. The 30-year-old previously worked as a teacher at 9th Bridge School in Las Vegas.
She graduated with a degree in education from Washington State University, and had worked as a preschool-elementary teacher in both Bahrain and Hong Kong.
Her brother Gage DiGiovanni wrote: 'It is with great sadness that we say goodbye and see you later to my amazing little sister. Maris was a victim of the horrific random stabbing of 8 people in Las Vegas today.
'Please pray for our family and her husband. We appreciate the space to grieve in the coming days and know she touched your lives as she did ours.'
One of Maris' pals took to social media to pay tribute to the 'kindest soul.'
Emma Leeson wrote about her friend: 'Absolutely shocked, devastated and heart broken.
'The most kindest beautiful soul taken way to young, this is so unfair and should never of happened - I can’t wrap my head around any of it.
'Thank you for all the incredibly fun amazing spontaneous memories and adventures we got to share together.'
Maris' cousin also remembered the 30-year-old as someone who 'brought a light to everyone's life.'
Ashlei DiGiovanni said: 'I still can’t believe you’re actually gone. This world can be so evil. You brought a light to everyone’s life who crossed your path.
'I’m so thankful for the moments I got to have with you. From sunset chasing, to dancing in your kitchen, to nights out to talking about absolutely anything under the sun.
'You were one of the most open, lighthearted, and easy going people who wanted to make others’ days better. You were my cousin and my best friend. My heart is broken knowing I can’t snap or call you. I love you.'
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Barrios is thought to have acted alone and investigators believe that it was an isolated incident.
This attack has prompted fears for safety among the strip's street performers.
Barrios, who does not live in Las Vegas, reportedly had a kitchen knife and told the showgirls he was a chef that wanted to take a photo with them.