At Least 2 Dead, Multiple Others Injured in Casino Shooting, as Witnesses Recall Running and Hiding After Hearing Gunshots By Charlotte Phillipp

Two people are dead and several others are injured after a shooting inside a Texas casino.

According to News 4 San Antonio and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, deputies with the Maverick County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and tribal police were called to Lucky Eagle Casino on the Kickapoo reservation — located near the U.S.-Mexico border, about 150 miles outside of San Antonio — at around 11:45 p.m. local time on Saturday, Sept. 27.

According to the Star-Telegram, a large crowd was gathered for a raffle event at the casino in Eagle Pass when shots rang out just before midnight.

A suspect — later identified as 34-year-old Keryan Jones — immediately fled the scene in a black Nissan Frontier. He was arrested in Stockdale, about 180 miles away from the casino, by the Texas Department of Public Safety about eight hours after the shooting, the outlets reported.

The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) said in a press release that deputies and state troopers located Jones’ car using his license plate, and the suspect’s vehicle was “partially disabled” by gunfire from troopers near a gas station.

“The suspect was successfully taken into custody … after a successful PIT maneuver and Taser deployment,” the sheriff’s office said, adding that officials found a weapon at the scene.

Five others in critical condition were taken by helicopter to San Antonio hospitals, the outlets reported.

University Hospital confirmed to News 4 that a 59-year-old woman was in serious condition after the incident, and a 22-year-old woman was discharged.

Officials confirmed to the outlets that Marcus Antley, a retired U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent, died at the scene. A woman, whose identity has not been made public, also died while en route to the hospital.

“Mr. Antley dedicated much of his life to public service and law enforcement,” Eagle Pass Mayor Aaron Valdez wrote in a Facebook post. “He will be remembered not only for his career but also for his generosity, leadership, and the lasting friendships he built throughout Eagle Pass and the region. His passing leaves a deep void in the hearts of many.”

“Our prayers also remain with the other individual who lost their life and with all those who were injured during this tragedy,” Valdez added. “We stand united in prayer with their families, asking God to bring healing, strength and comfort during this painful time.”

Witnesses who spoke with the outlets recalled hearing gunshots and chaos breaking out, as people tried to get out of the building. According to News 4, one bullet struck a door and another hit a slot machine.

Rachel Palacios, who was at the casino with her husband at the time of the shooting, told KENS 5 that she recognized the loud bangs as gunshots right away.

“I heard three loud bangs. I knew it was a gun immediately. And so I just got up and ran. I was on the machine playing and I just got up and ran,” Palacios recalled. “I knew it was a gun, but I was hoping that it wasn’t a gun. I was hoping it was just something that broke, but you can tell the difference.” 

According to the woman, she temporarily hid in a closet as she texted her daughters, and eventually was able to escape from the building with her husband.

“He found me, and we just ran out of the building after that because he said they wanted us to get out of the building,” Palacios said. 

“It can happen anywhere,” she added. “I was safe, but I didn’t know about my husband, and I feel bad for the people who died. I just pray that their family has comfort and can get over this. Just be careful when you’re in public.”

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In a statement shared with News 4, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas said leaders were “heartbroken about the violence that occurred at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino.”

“A warrant was issued for a person of interest, who was apprehended by the Texas Department of Public Safety in Wilson County,” the tribe wrote. “We will provide more information as it becomes available. We are grateful to the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department, Eagle Pass Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol and Texas Department of Public Safety, all of whom responded to this terrible accident.”

The Eagle Pass Police Department added on Facebook that Jones would be extradited to Maverick County.

“We continue to keep the injured in our thoughts and prayers, and we ask our lord to bless and guide the hands of those working to bring them healing and comfort,” the department wrote, in part. “Our heartfelt thanks to all the responding agencies for their efforts in ensuring the safety and security of our community and visitors.”