Summary
- The shooting occurred around 8 am on Saturday morning.
- Police swarmed the casino after an active shooter call game in.
- The shooting appears to be the result of an argument.
Shooting incidents are not uncommon at casino venues, but generally occur in the parking lot areas outside.
In the Lake Tahoe, a recent shooting occurred inside the Nevada casino, which prompted a huge response from law enforcement. Over the weekend, an active shooter call came in from the Hard Rock and Casino Lake Tahoe, with one person dead on the scene and two arrested. It appears as though the incident is an insolated one.
Details of the Shooting Incident
Around 100 officers from eight different agencies arrived on the scene at the Hard Rock Casino around 8 am on Saturday when the shooting call came in. Police found Omar Garcia, age 32, with a gunshot would to the head. He would later pass away at a local hospital.
A hotel representative stated that the hotel and casino went under lockdown after the shooting occurred. An investigation began and officers were eventually able to track down the individuals involved near the Sierra at Tahoe Resort.
A vehicle was stopped by deputies and Edgar Julian Delgado and Savannah Racquel Tautaupale were arrested. The male was arrested on suspicion of murder while the female was arrested for driving under the influence.
Police worked together to quickly evaluate the scene and make arrests in the case. It is believed that the suspect and victim were arguing before the shooting took place. Both men appear to have hung out together drinking for several hours before the argument occurred.
The Casino is Open for Guests
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Lake Tahoe has provided a statement on the matter and announced it is reopened for visitors. The casino is grateful for the response by police after the shooting occurred. The casino has extended its sympathies to the victims and are grateful for the security staff and local law enforcement for their quick action to apprehend the assailants.
The Hard Rock has re-opened after an incident this morning. Thank you to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies who skillfully handled the challenge and kept all guests and team members safe.
— Hard Rock Lake Tahoe (@HRHCLakeTahoe) March 25, 2023
The incident inside the casino had guests and employee shook up. The active shooter call was made because the venue was unsure as to what exactly was going on. Police responded accordingly and were able to react quickly.
Incidents like this show the need for upgraded security inside casinos. Many properties in the Las Vegas area of Nevada have started using metal detectors and will not allow patrons not bring guns inside. This is a precaution in order to avoid such instances as what happened at the Hard Rock over the weekend.
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