LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Several people were attacked by a swarm of bees last Thursday outside an assisted living home in a southwest Las Vegas neighborhood.
Louis Smith, 38, a resident of the facility, was hospitalized after being stung more than 400 times. His mother, Shelia Williams, said doctors told her he is far from out of the clear despite being released from the hospital.
“By the time the paramedics got there, Louis was fully covered with bees; they couldn’t even see his shirt,” Williams said.
Williams said she received a phone call from her son, who was barely audible and told her he was in the hospital after being stung by bees.
“The doctor got on the phone and said, ‘Ma’am, this was a medical emergency,’ and I said, ‘Why?’ and he said, ‘Because he got stung by over 400 bees,’” Williams said.
Neighbor keeps bee colonies as hobby
When Williams arrived at the hospital, her son was bruised and swollen, unable to speak clearly, and in pain. Staff members from the assisted living facility showed her the video of the incident, but declined to share the video with FOX5.
“It was the neighbor, he is a beekeeper and the bees got out,” Williams said.
Robert Deviese was also attacked along with several staff members. Like Smith, he has limited mobility and said he felt helpless as he was stung repeatedly.
“We went outside the gate, they started swarming Louis, and then they swarmed me. The fire department had to come hose us down,” Deviese said.
The neighbor told FOX5 he didn’t want to go on camera but shared that he has six colonies, which could be upwards of 20,000 bees. He has collected them for the past eight years.
City doesn’t regulate beekeeping
The incident happened near the intersection of West Oakey Boulevard and South Rainbow Boulevard.
The city of Las Vegas doesn’t regulate beekeeping. According to the Nevada Revised Statutes and Administrative Code, beekeepers don’t need a permit but must have posted signage. Clark County and parts of Nye and Lincoln counties are under quarantine for Africanized honey bees.
“I think that the community should know that this is a risk, this is something they should be aware of,” Williams said.
Williams said she is exploring every option to help keep her son safe and make others in the community aware.
“You don’t know if it will ever happen again because he doesn’t have control over those bees,” Williams said.
Williams said she will likely secure an attorney. The facility declined to comment but filed a police report the day of the incident.
Las Vegas is home to Africanized killer bees. While the difference in appearance may not be immediately apparent, these bees are typically more aggressive. Officials say if stung, people should seek immediate medical attention.
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