CRIME WATCH: Three shot at Roxy’s Casino

11:04 PM: King County Sheriff’s deputies are getting assistance from Seattle Police responding to a report of a shooting victim at or near Roxy’s Casino (28th/Roxbury). No other details yet.

11:26 PM: We don’t have information on the victim’s condition but per SPD, KCSO has one suspect in custody.

11:30 PM: A reader who says he was in the casino when it happened just called. He says three people were shot.

12:24 AM: Our photographer is just back from the scene. KCSO is not commenting, saying they’ll “issue a statement” at some point. Meantime, commenters who were there say one victim died at the scene.

3:30 AM: No statement yet.

7:55 AM: From KCSO Sgt. Eric White :

What we do know at this point is that around 2248 hours last night an unknown person came into Roxbury Lanes Casino located at the 2800 block of SW Roxbury Street in Unincorporated King County and began shooting. KCSO Deputies from White Center, Burien, Sea Tac, Metro and Sound Transit Divisions responded to the scene. As many as three victims were reported to have sustained injuries, and were transported to Harborview Hospital for their injuries. KCSO Major Crimes Detectives responded to the scene. The suspect in this is still at large. This case is still an active and open investigation.

ADDED MONDAY: Though Harborview Medical Center usually won’t provide the media with updates on patient conditions without names, they are making an exception in this case. HMC spokesperson Susan Gregg tells WSB that 2 men are in critical condition and one woman is in serious condition. … Also, the casino, bowling alley, and restaurant plan to remain closed until Thursday.

57 Replies to "CRIME WATCH: Three shot at Roxy's Casino"

  • Yanni May 27, 2023 (11:17 pm)

    Sheriff sitting with lights on at the church on 26th and 98th at the moment.

  • Rachel B May 27, 2023 (11:22 pm)

    On 35th & Roxbury. Hearing lots of sirens. 

  • Vanessa May 27, 2023 (11:41 pm)

    My partner works here. 3 shot, one dead, one in critical care, the other sounds like will be okay. 

    • E.E May 27, 2023 (11:48 pm)

      That’s terrible to hear. Glad the two others will be ok and the person was caught. Do you know what sparked it all? 

    • Pugmom May 27, 2023 (11:49 pm)

      This is so very sad. Hoping your partner is safe. I imagine the emotional trauma is going to be an ordeal. 😪

    • Ron foust May 27, 2023 (11:53 pm)

      So sad…It will never end…

    • alkiannie May 27, 2023 (11:57 pm)

      good heavens – so glad you partner is OK – thinking of you both and the others affected by this

  • Tony May 27, 2023 (11:47 pm)

    Heard sounds ten minutes ago in Gatewood that sounded like exchange of gunfire, at least 10 rounds, now hearing sirens

  • George May 27, 2023 (11:49 pm)

    Lots of gunfire at north end Lincoln Park. About 15 rounds. Several bust shots. Sounds like it switched from semi auto to full auto. Heard very rapid fire. Just heard it.

  • George May 27, 2023 (11:53 pm)

    Heard full auto shots at North end of park at 11:45 pm. Wonder if it’s the shooter.

  • Pugmom May 28, 2023 (12:03 am)

    Is the shooter on the run? Now there’s a shooting at Lincoln Park!

    • WSB May 28, 2023 (12:27 am)

      We’re covering that separately. One person is reported to be in custody in this one. Little chance they are related – the Lincoln Park case apparently involves teenagers who were “partying” in the park and firing guns.

  • TJ May 28, 2023 (12:21 am)

    I was sitting right there when it happened. A guy came in and fired 2-3 rounds directly at the back of the head of an individual sitting at a table and ran out the door. A dealer was shot in the chest and a security guard took one in the lower back. I immediately started CPR on the man who was shot in the head and got someone to apply pressure to to the wound for what seemed like 10-15 minutes until help arrived. We did everything we could and never gave up, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough. I’ve been home for the last half hour trying to clean the blood from underneath my fingernails. I only hope that this poor man’s family knows that their loved one’s last memory, was of a couple of strangers trying their best to help him, and that he left this world as people tried to care for him. To the family of the gentleman who lost his life tonight, I’m sorry, I gave it all I had. God bless you. 

    • Forrest May 28, 2023 (12:26 am)

      Yes I should never have been exposed to that. The world is not always kind. Thank you for what you did and take care of yourself. 

    • Alki resident May 28, 2023 (12:32 am)

      TJ you please get help if you need it for this traumatic experience tonite. Thanks for being there for him. 

    • Rochelle May 28, 2023 (12:33 am)

      OMG. How are you doing? Thank you for stepping up…. My prayers are with you, with the families of the victims…. What a horrific night!…. I heard the sirens they woke me up. Come to find out that a teen was shot  at Lincoln Park…. So sad

    • Rhonda May 28, 2023 (12:41 am)

      Your efforts are appreciated by many thousands in the community. Treat yourself well. You deserve it.

      • alkiannie May 28, 2023 (9:14 am)

        I agree with Rhonda. 

    • George Gonzalez May 28, 2023 (5:57 am)

      Hi TJ, I work at Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center. We a offer free clinical counseling and support to people impacted by gun violence. If you or someone else who was there would like some support now or in the future please feell free to contact us. https://depts.washington.edu/uwhatc/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=website_clicks

    • tim May 28, 2023 (11:27 am)

      TJ  could we have a basic description of the shooter?  I’m sorry you went thru that. I don’t think I’d have to courage to stick around and do what you did.

      • Josh May 30, 2023 (1:28 am)

        Tim why do you need a description of the shooter? Who are you Perry Mason?

    • Ny May 29, 2023 (10:06 pm)

      Can you please describe the suspect at large. 

  • Emily May 28, 2023 (1:14 am)

    I was just at the Safeway, went to by food without realizing this had happened. This was at literally 12:40, and when we walked past the police and news people we were told that they have not yet caught the shooter and he is still at large and so to be careful. Not sure who the suspect they supposedly have in custody is, but according to the officers at the scene less than an hour ago, it’s not the shooter. I don’t normally comment on these things but I wanted to make sure people know this isn’t completely over yet and the shooter could still pose a risk. Be safe everyone. My condolences to the family of the man who passed and my thoughts are with the victim who’s still fighting. 

  • KT May 28, 2023 (5:54 am)

    That Casino is at 28th and Roxbury.

    • WSB May 28, 2023 (6:16 am)

      The call was initially dispatched as 26th/Roxbury. Changing headline.

  • PLK May 28, 2023 (9:30 am)

    We have contacted Roxy several times about the ongoing noise and disturbances in their outside seating and their parking lot in the evenings. We made several calls over time to KCSO to let them know our worries about escalating activities. They were receptive and encouraged neighbors to contact them with ongoing issues. Roxy is not exactly a family friendly place after dark. Ironically, we thought it had quieted down recently. Very sad for the victims of gun violence, and scary for the employees and neighbors.

  • East Coast Cynic May 28, 2023 (1:04 pm)

    Roxbury can be a pretty scary street/area in the early evening through the nighttime.  If it isn’t a shooting inside or outside the Casino, it’s a drive-by shooting on Roxbury.  About a year ago, I recall going back to my car in the Roxbury Safeway parking lot to pack groceries and there were 3 KCSO cars surrounding a car in the parking lot!  I don’t think this dude was in trouble for parking too long in the lot.

  • Rob May 28, 2023 (1:25 pm)

    It’s interesting that the WSB is the only print media to cover the shootings that took place last night.  With out the blog know one would have any idea what happened. 

  • Lisa May 28, 2023 (1:48 pm)

    By definition this is a MASS shooting. Why is this not getting any attention other than on the WSB? Are we all that numb to these events that virtually no attention is given? I’m shocked by the events last night but even more shocked that so little attention has been given to them.

    • WSB May 28, 2023 (2:38 pm)

      FWIW, mass shooting = 4 or more victims, by the most-commonly used standards (scroll to “How are mass shootings defined?” in this article – multiple references, all sourced). Meantime, my partner did see a TV photographer there, but some of the TV stations don’t do Sunday morning news, so they didn’t have anyone on duty at that hour (even with multimillion-dollar budgets and megacorporate ownership, while we, with our multithousand dollar budget and mom-n-pop ownership, were working as usual). And if not for commenters (thank you) and the person who called, we would not have known whether this was one victim or ten until we finally received some info from KCSO six hours later. (Even at that, as quoted above, they’re not confirming a death.) The recent digitizing of public-safety radio has complicated things further – I could go on but bottom line, I don’t think it’s a deliberate oversight. If no one follows up for tonight’s evening newscasts, though, I’d call that a deliberate decision … TR

      • Lisa May 28, 2023 (6:08 pm)

        Thanks for this. I did look it up before posting and the definition is actually all over the place with some defining it as three or more and others defining it as killings. I appreciate that you need to go by a certain definition for journalistic purposes but, sadly, this seems “mass” to me.

      • 206_Rooster May 28, 2023 (6:10 pm)

        One confirmed dead. Asian man. Two employees shot. One named CJ (Cambodian female) and one name John (Male).CJ is a Floor Supervisor for the Casino. John is a brand new Security Guard.CJ has internal bleeding and liver damage and as of this afternoon has had 2 surgeries thus far.No word on John, yet. However,  it was speculated that he was the target – by first hand witness(es) statement(s).Still an open investigation with suspect still at large.

        • WSB May 28, 2023 (10:43 pm)

          Thanks. As of tonight – I asked again – KCSO still refuses even to confirm one victim died, and they won’t release a description – I would suspect they have security-camera imagery, given that casinos are usually camera-laden.

        • Andrew May 28, 2023 (11:28 pm)

          If John was the intended target, why did the shooter shoot the Asian male in the back of the head?

          • 206_Rooster May 30, 2023 (8:00 am)

            It was speculated that John was the target because he was running towards the back exit of the casino floor. This was the direction of gunfire, hitting the two victims who didn’t see it coming. An Asian man playing Black Jack, and Roxy’s Floor Supervisor, CJ, who was standing in the Pit (center of casino tables). Witnesses stated they think he (John – Security Gurad) recognized the shooter and started running. My information comes from different sources who were all present during shooting. No information I’ve given came from anyone “official.”

          • Andrew May 30, 2023 (2:15 pm)

            Thank you Rooster.  Any indication if the deceased is a regular or not, sounds like him and CJ were just innocent bystanders.

          • WSB May 30, 2023 (2:24 pm)

            Please note, according to Harborview Medical Center as of yesterday, all three victims had survived.

      • Shawna May 31, 2023 (8:09 pm)

        Thank you WSB. You’re always where I check first for local information. You have always been on the ball and very accurate. Your diligence is very appreciated. 

    • waikikgirl May 28, 2023 (3:10 pm)

      Actually KOMO News has all three stories on their website but WSB is my go to on any story, event and or news item.https://komonews.com/

      • WSB May 28, 2023 (4:18 pm)

        They weren’t covering the SPD cases in real time. SPD eventually wrote short ‘blotter’ posts on both, so those will be widely repurposed.

    • Allieonroxbury May 30, 2023 (11:22 pm)

      Omg I feel the same , why is this not getting the attention it should . This IS a mass shooting and scary as hell , kids are in this establishment , maybe not at midnight but teenagers sure go there late I know that . I’m concerned to say the least . I can’t with this bs . I’ve lived here my whole life and I rarely go to Roxy’s anymore it’s not a family friendly establishment after 8pm. The bulls–t rolls in around then if not sooner 

  • TJ May 28, 2023 (2:36 pm)

    WSB should be honored by the community for not just what they do, but how they do it. The blog is more than just local news and I appreciate what they do for all of us here in West Seattle. 

    • waikikigirl May 28, 2023 (3:11 pm)

      @TJ…I agree!

    • Compassionate Neighbor May 28, 2023 (7:07 pm)

      TJ, bless you for helping the shooting victim. You absolutely did everything to save a life. Thank you for being the person you are. WS Blog, thank you for keeping us safer with timely reporting. 

    • WestSeaRes May 29, 2023 (8:36 am)

      Yes! So grateful and thankful for WSB every day. I can’t believe the lack of publicity on all of these murder cases. 

    • Scubafrog May 30, 2023 (5:09 pm)

      TJ you’re an exemplary citizen, and I hope if I’m faced with such dire circumstances, I can rise to the occasion as you did.  Cheers to you and your heroism.

  • SoundBreeze May 28, 2023 (3:35 pm)

    I’m kind of shocked that nearly 18 hours after the incident, there is still no official word that one of the victims actually died, when 2 WSB commenters had 1st or 2nd-hand information of one of the victims dying at the scene.  I can understand police withholding some info to help the investigation, but usually, at a minimum, they do say fairly quickly afterward whether or not someone died. 

    • Kristina May 29, 2023 (6:45 am)

      Violent start to Memorial Day weekend as police investigate shootingshttps://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/violent-start-to-memorial-day-weekend-as-police-investigate-shootings/Seattle Times is reporting that all three victims were still alive at Harborview: it is possible that our West Seattle Good Samaritan’s efforts saved a life after all!

  • Questions May 29, 2023 (8:46 am)

    Is Roxy’s also where the guy who killed the two teens on the west seattle bridge started his drive from?

  • AJ kanivolli May 29, 2023 (8:58 am)

    I live in the area. Do we have a description of the suspect? 

  • WSB May 29, 2023 (12:15 pm)

    Added above but also noting here: As observed by one commenter upthread, Harborview Medical Center is making an exception in this case and providing condition information without names. We have just heard back from HMC, which says it has three patients, which suggests that despite commenters’ reports, everyone survived. Two men are in critical condition, one woman in serious condition. – TR

  • Rhonda May 29, 2023 (4:47 pm)

    A couple of Roxbury Safeway employees told me the casino shooting suspect is on security camera footage buying alcohol in their store before the attack.

  • AJD May 31, 2023 (9:51 pm)

    Roxy’s Employees were told today that our co-workers are in stable condition. The injured man is sitting up, and the injured woman was moved out of the ICU today and can have visitors, her family was finally able to see her today. The injured customer was shot in the head, he was kept alive by TJ’s CPR and then life support at HMC. It took them 48 hours to find and contact his family. He passed after taking him off of life support today. The family visited Roxy’s this morning and grieved with the management team. Roxy’s has been closed since the incident. They held a meeting this afternoon for all employees. Our manager told us that there has been an outpouring of support from the community; hundreds of phone calls and as many visitors this week. We were updated on the condition of our co-workers. We updated our emergency contact information, we were offered counseling. A couple ministers with grief & trauma counseling experience were there to let us know some of the normal things we might be feeling or dealing with after experiencing an abnormal event. They also offered counseling for anyone that wanted it. Roxy’s will re-open tomorrow and our normal time.

  • Ws prayers June 5, 2023 (3:08 pm)

    What is Roxy’s hiring process do they do a background check on people they would have seen the security guard had a record of multiple armed robbery’s he told on his partner they must have known the story and that his friend former friend his partner was getting out what in the world why would they hire that guy….hopefully the step up in who they hire to protect their employees and patrons of their establishment 

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