Bonanza Casino Shooter Sentenced to 41 Years Behind Bars

Posted on: April 8, 2024, 01:07h. 

Last updated on: April 8, 2024, 01:18h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

The jealous man who tried to kill his former girlfriend’s new boyfriend at Reno, Nev.’s Bonanza Casino last Independence Day, recently received a 41-year sentence.

Joshua Slater-King, 37, was given the sentence by District Court Judge Egan Walker.

He may not serve the entire time. In 12 years, Slater-King will be eligible for parole.

Slater-King previously pleaded guilty to attempted murder with the use of a firearm, assault with the use of a firearm, burglary while in possession of a firearm, and discharging a firearm within a structure charges for the violent episode.

Prosecutors said Slater-King walked over to the woman and her new boyfriend while they were sitting in chairs at a casino bar.

He took out a firearm and started to pistol-whip the boyfriend. The attack caused the weapon to discharge.

Slater-King then repeatedly attempted to shoot the victim.

Initially, the gun jammed but Slater-King cleared it before shooting the victim once in the leg, according to a statement from Washoe County District Attorney Christopher J. Hicks. He then ran from the casino at about 1:30 a.m.

Reno Police Department officers were alerted and soon arrived at the casino. They watched video from surveillance cameras to help identify the suspect.

Reno officers stopped Slater-King later on July 4 while he was on Parr Boulevard.

I let my emotions get the best of me,” he told police after his apprehension.

The unnamed victim was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. His injuries were nonlife-threatening, according to Nevada TV station KTVN.

Slater-King wasn’t injured during the confrontation. Neither was his former girlfriend.

Physical, Emotion Pain

In arguing for a longer sentence, Washoe County Deputy District Attorney Hunter Heidrich said the shooting caused physical and emotional pain to the victim, as well as emotional turmoil for others who were inside the casino at the time.

Walker, who agreed to the longer sentence, is a former deputy district attorney in Carson City, Nev., and also was a prosecutor in the major violators unit in the Washoe County District Attorney’s office.

Casino is Popular

The Bonanza Casino has a reputation of being popular with locals, and was relatively crowded on the night of the shooting.

It features slot machines, poker machines, video keno, and a William Hill sportsbook.