Casino Shooting Suspects Caught After High-Speed Chase

Posted on: April 3, 2024, 10:06h. 

Last updated on: April 4, 2024, 09:53h.

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

Three fleeing suspects wanted for the shooting of two victims at Washington State’s Little Creek Casino were nabbed by cops on Wednesday afternoon.

Washington State’s Little Creek Casino
Washington State’s Little Creek Casino, pictured above. Two victims were shot at the casino’s garage. (Image: TripAdvisor)

After shots were fired in the Shelton, Wash. gaming property’s parking garage just before 3 p.m., police officers began to chase the suspects as they drove away in a vehicle.

Officers from the Squaxin Tribal Police Department were able to quickly develop a description of the suspects’ vehicle and started the pursuit in Mason County. The high-speed chase continued into nearby Thurston County.

Eventually, deputies from the Thurston County Sheriff’s office joined in the chase along with the tribal police officers.

Deputies were able to stop the suspects’ vehicle. Details on the apprehension were unknown as of Wednesday.

Victims Hospitalized

The two victims were shot at about 3 p.m. in the casino’s parking garage. Both were rushed to a local hospital emergency room. Authorities didn’t have updated information on their conditions or details on their injuries as of late Wednesday. Neither victim has been identified.

The initial 2:54 p.m. call to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office about the shooting was for one wounded victim but when deputies arrived at the garage, they found two people who were shot, according to the sheriff’s office.

Charges against the suspects are likely for the shootings and the pursuit. Deputies didn’t reveal what counts may be lodged against the suspects. Authorities also didn’t immediately identify the three suspects, nor did they say if they suffered any injuries.

Neither deputies nor police officers were believed to have been injured during the incident.

A motive for the shooting of the two victims was not immediately known.

The casino operated by the Squaxin Island Tribe is located some 75 miles southeast of Seattle. The resort features a gaming property, a 190-room hotel, the Salish Cliffs Golf Club, Seven Inlets Spa, and Skookum Creek Event Center.

Praises for Officers

Following the arrests, Mason County Sheriff Derek Sanders posted a statement on the department’s Facebook page.

Good job everyone! Here’s to a speedy recovery for the victims,” Sanders said.

A member of the public also thanked Sanders and deputies for apprehending the alleged shooters.

“Sheriff Sanders thank you to your guys for the awesome work as always,” Clayton Bethea posted on Facebook.