A recent shooting near a California tribal casino has led to several arrests, adding to a string of suspicious incidents in the region.
On Thursday, gunfire was aimed at two pedestrians walking near Loleta, California. Fortunately, the victims were able to avoid injuries from the early morning shooting. They alerted the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, who quickly responded to the scene. The victims described the shooters as being in a silver, two-door saloon and a black pickup truck.
Arrests made a short time later
A short time later, authorities were able to track down two suspects, Fernando Martinez and Robert Ellis, to a residence on Carroll Road. Officers found guns at the scene, adding more charges for the two.
Later, a third suspect was charged with brandishing a firearm. Madison Carroll was charged with brandishing a firearm and discharging a firearm. The reasons behind the shooting remain unclear, but authorities are continuing to investigate the incident.
Other incidents reported
This latest incident comes as California’s Eagle Mountain Casino was forced to evacuate due to a gas leak on Thursday night. The casino is located some 160 miles north of Los Angeles and is operated by the Tule River Tribe of California. Luckily, no injuries were reported during the evacuation, which lasted for several hours.
The reason behind the gas leak is unknown. Local firemen assisted at the casino in Portersville, California after being called out. Teams from the nearby gas company also rushed to the location. The gas leak was eventually contained by local firefighters.
A theft also occurred at a gaming property in Lake Charles, Louisiana, involving stolen vouchers. A suspect has been identified through casino surveillance footage and is being sought for further investigation.
As California’s casino crime spree continues, authorities are working to ensure that gambling properties provide a safe environment for patrons.