Casino Crime News Roundup: Arkansas Casino Lot Shooting

Posted on: November 8, 2024, 09:42h. 

Last updated on: November 8, 2024, 09:52h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

Shots were fired early Friday in the parking lot of Arkansas’ Southland Casino Hotel. It’s unclear if anyone was injured or why the shots were discharged.

The Southland Casino entrance, pictured above. Shots were fired in the Arkansas casino parking lot. (Image: LocalMemphis.com)

Nor is it known if a suspect has been identified following the incident at the West Memphis, Ark. gaming property.

The casino released a statement about the shooting, saying “Our security team immediately contacted West Memphis police after the isolated incident early this morning in the parking lot outside the casino.”

“The safety and security of our guests and team members is our top priority, and we have a comprehensive security program in place, including a weapons detection system at every entrance that prevents weapons from entering the casino,” the casino statement added.

Police are reviewing casino surveillance video to identify a suspect.

Local media reported many police officers responded to the parking lot to investigate the shooting. By sunrise, the lot appeared empty.

Texas Casino Workers Arrested

Three workers at Texas’ Casino El Azul were charged following an illegal gambling raid this week.

The suspects were apprehended after deputies located 48 gambling machines and an unspecified amount of cash, according to Texas TV station KRGV. The gaming machines weren’t working when they were seized, ValleyCentral.com reported.

The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office arrested the suspects on Wednesday. They were identified as: Ariel Hernandez, 34, Alma Garcia, 50, and Maria Alicia Ramirez Beltran, 53.

They were booked at the Hidalgo County jail on several charges, including keeping a gambling place, possession of gambling device and equipment, gambling promotion, and engaging in organized criminal activity.

Each of the three suspects remained in custody as of Friday morning, according to online jail records. Their cases were turned over to local prosecutors.

Casino Explosives Defendant Appears in Court

The man accused of placing two explosive devices in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa appeared in a Florida courtroom on Tuesday.

The case against Bryan Eckley, 46, was continued, according to Florida TV station WTVT.

Eckley allegedly put the crude explosives in a casino restroom on September 29 and 30. Their discovery led to two evacuations. The devices were deactivated and no one was injured.

Eckley, a roofer, was charged with two counts of making, possessing, throwing, projecting, placing, or discharging a destructive device with the intent to cause harm. He’s now represented by Anthony Rickman, a Florida attorney who specializes in criminal defense.

Rickman, a former prosecutor is currently reviewing the evidence in Eckley’s explosives case.

“He’s presumed innocent,” Rickman told WTVT about his client. “Ultimately, I’d ask that anyone wait to pass judgment, wait until all the facts come out. And ultimately, once all those facts come out, I believe the evidence will show that he’s not guilty.”