Washington state casinos closed after police officer killed murder suspect
The Lucky Eagle Casino in Washington state temporarily closed this week after a tribal police officer wounded a murder suspect at the casino.
The unnamed Chehalis police officer shot and killed 33-year-old Darren Evans after he approached him on a playground in Rochester, Washington, on Sunday night.
Lucky Eagle Casino was closed Monday until further notice while police investigate the incident, regional news outlet The Olympian reported.
Eyewitness Report
A witness captured video of the casino shooting and provided some details.
He [Evans] ran in my direction. I think he was trying to get to the exit of the front door and then all of a sudden I saw the police on the ground shooting him," Dee Thomas told Washington state radio station KOMO.
Police did not say what led the officer to shoot Evans. It was unclear whether Evans was armed or trying to harm the officer before he fired his weapon.
Police said they received a tip that Evans was at the casino Sunday night. They had a warrant out for his arrest in connection with a 2022 murder.
After the shooting, police attempted to give Evans first aid, but he died inside the casino.
"You think you're going to a public place and it's a safe place and it's safe and anything can happen," Thomas said. "So, it's one of those things. I think that's the world we live in right now. "
The Bureau of Indian Affairs, FBI and the Thurston County Sheriff's Office are investigating the casino shooting. Officials may investigate whether the use of deadly force by tribal officers involved in the shooting was justified.
Generally, an officer may discharge his/her weapon when the officer needs to protect him/herself or others from deadly force.
Lucky Eagle Casino is operated by the Chehalis Tribe. It is located approximately 25 miles southwest of Olympia.
PREVIOUS MURDER
Evans was wanted in connection with a homicide in nearby Pierce County.
He was served with an outstanding arrest warrant charging him with two counts of first-degree murder and unlawful possession after he allegedly killed 52-year-old Dion Bartro of Puyallup, Washington. There are firearms charges.
Bartow died from multiple gunshot wounds following an incident in Graham, Washington, on September 25, 2022. Witnesses to the crime told police they saw one man shoot another man. The victim was later found dead in another person's home.
Police searched for the suspect in nearby woods but were unable to find him.
According to KOMO, Evans was previously convicted of multiple crimes, including escape, burglary, escape, identity theft and assault.
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Source: www.casino.org
