A rock climber made headlines by scaling the towering Sphere venue near the Las Vegas Strip to protest abortion. Las Vegas police received reports of the climber scaling the 366-foot-tall spherical structure shortly after 10 a.m. The individual, identified as 24-year-old Maison Des Champs, was subsequently detained. This incident occurred just days before Las Vegas is set to host its inaugural Super Bowl, expected to draw over 330,000 visitors this week.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police confirmed the climber’s apprehension, urging the public to avoid the area as emergency vehicles responded to the scene. Des Champs was later booked into the Clark County Detention Center, facing charges that include Destroying Property of Another, Greater than $5000, and Conspiracy to Destroy Private Property. Notably, this is not Des Champs’ first encounter with the law in Las Vegas, as he was previously arrested in 2021 for scaling a high-rise building.
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A spokesperson for Sphere Entertainment expressed gratitude to local authorities for their assistance in handling the situation, noting that those involved are currently in the custody of LVMPD. This incident coincides with the city’s preparations to host Super Bowl LVIII, prompting heightened security measures in the vicinity of the Strip and Allegiant Stadium.
Situated at the corner of Sands Avenue and Koval Lane, approximately three miles north of the stadium, the Sphere is slated to feature various activations from the NFL and other sponsors about the highly anticipated sporting event.
