Founder of Las Vegas resource center keeps doors open after being shot at

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - The founder of a downtown Las Vegas resource center is keeping his doors open Monday, despite almost being shot over the weekend.

The incident happened Friday afternoon near Bruce and Fremont streets at Bruce 222 Whole Community Solutions Center.

Earlier this year, FOX5 spoke to the founder, Keith Courtney, about his center, which offers the community free meals, water, and medical services.

However, Courtney did not realize his work in the community would mean he would risk his life.

“I never thought I would have to wear a bulletproof vest to serve food,” Courtney said.

Courtney tells FOX5, he was closing up his center for the day when someone tried to shoot him right outside his center.

“I was just sitting down and all of a sudden I heard somebody yell profanity at me and I looked and he had a pistol. He took a shot at me I just ducked and I took off into the building,” Courtney said.

Courtney said he did not recognize the suspect but may know why he was the target.

“Sometimes people don’t like change,” Courtney said.

A change that Courtney hopes to bring to the area.

“I’m sending a lot of people to rehab sending a lot of people back home, maybe it’s the neighborhood, and their clientele is dwindling but I don’t think it’s that I think it’s probably a domestic situation we stepped in,” Courtney said.

Earlier this year, Courtney walked FOX5 through the neighborhood he serves and it was clear the need was there.

“We are keeping the door open we probably already fed, about 30-something people we usually do about 20,” Courtney said.

FOX5 asked Courtney why he did not hunker down and close his doors on Monday.

“People are still hungry every day out here people are homeless they don’t have any money but just because something happened to me the cause still needs to continue,” Courtney said.

FOX5 has contacted Metro Police to get more information about the suspect who fired at Courtney.

However, police tell us it looks like there are two people involved and are waiting to identify and arrest them.

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