17-year-old EMILY GRACE facing charges for stabbing three horses during a barrel racing event in Las Vegas

- Nevada, USA -

 ⚠️WARNING⚠️The article contains pictures some of you may find distressing⚠️

On the early morning of Saturday, May 30, 2026, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department received a report that a horse had been injured at a barn in the 9700 block of South Las Vegas Boulevard.

According to the police’s press release, when officers responded to the location they learned that “... three horses had been intentionally injured with a sharp object”.

The LVMPD Animal Cruelty Section was notified and responded to the scene.

The police said that through the course of the investigation, detectives identified a teenage girl as a possible suspect. Investigators said the teen had access to the barn, and they believe she may have used a knife to inflict multiple injuries to the defenseless horses.

The teen was later located at a nearby hotel and officers placed her under arrest. She was transported to the Clark County Juvenile Hall and booked for twelve counts of willful/malicious kill/maim/torture animal – Horse, and three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property valued at more than $5,000.

A petition created by Animal Victory, demanding prosecution under the strongest available charges, identified the teenage girl as 17-year-old EMILY GRACE (pictured via her Facebook profile).

Clark County District Attorney Steven B. Wolfson announced that his office “... is seeking the certification of a juvenile defendant to the adult criminal system in connection with the alleged stabbing and abuse of multiple horses during a barrel racing event held in Las Vegas.

The District Attorney’s Office is currently reviewing the matter to determine what charges to file which may include willful or malicious torture, maiming, or killing of an animal and felony malicious destruction of property. A Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Animal Cruelty Section investigation found the juvenile intentionally injured three horses with a knife at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center on May 30, 2026. The horses survived their

injuries but were unable to compete in the rest of the national barrel racing competition.

After reviewing the allegations, the nature of the offenses, and the circumstances of the case, the District Attorney's Office has determined that seeking certification to adult court is appropriate.”

DA Wolfson said: “These allegations involve deliberate acts of extreme cruelty against defenseless animals and have had a significant impact on the victims, the owners, and the broader equestrian community. Animal abuse cases are taken extremely seriously by our office. Nevada law allows certain juvenile offenders to be prosecuted as adults when warranted by the seriousness of the conduct. We believe this case meets that standard.”

The horses’ guardian, Ms. Arielle Phillips, has shared pictures of her horses on her Facebook account. One of them, a mare named Detail, is gradually recovering and Ms. Phillips recently said in one of her posts: “Stitches should come out in about 8-10 days.”

Clark County District Attorney Wolfson said GRACE’s next hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 4, 2026. A certification hearing will be scheduled at a later date where a

judge will determine whether the matter should proceed in the adult criminal justice system.

###

Voice For Us Disclaimer: Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

Photos shared from Arielle Phillips’ Facebook account

GRACE’s photo shared from her Facebook account

For more animal cruelty stories, please click here. Thank you!