Posted on 12/04/2005 4:51:18 PM PST by NormsRevenge
RENO, Nev. (AP) - A California man with a criminal history was identified Sunday as the gunman killed in a shootout at a Lake Tahoe casino that also injured a pair of sheriff's deputies.
Harvey Ex, 53, of Sunset Beach, Calif., was shot multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the Saturday afternoon incident, Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini said.
A female acquaintance of Ex's reported to Harrah's Tahoe security that she was concerned about Ex's behavior, Pierini said.
Security guards found Ex uncooperative and called the sheriff's department. Soon after the two deputies arrived, shooting erupted in a high-stakes players lounge off the main floor, Pierini said.
Deputy Dan Nelson was shot in the arm and hip and released Sunday from a Reno hospital. Deputy Erik Eissinger was hit in the abdomen but his bulletproof vest deflected the shot. He was treated and released Saturday.
"We haven't had a chance to interview the deputies yet and we still don't know what happened in the lounge," Pierini told The Associated Press. "But I think it would be fair to say he (Ex) was unstable ... and that could have something to do with what happened."
A toxicology report could take up to six weeks. An autopsy was performed Sunday.
Investigators were working to determine a motive. It was still unclear Sunday who fired the first shot.
Ex traveled to the Stateline, Nev., casino to spend the weekend with the woman, whom authorities did not identify, Pierini said. He had at least one previous arrest on drug-related charges.
Deputy Eissinger "is obviously upset and he was just very concerned about Dan," Pierini said. "It's a tough situation to go through. I'm very confident that, because of the caliber of people they are, they'll be fine."
Harrah's spokesman John Packer said guns are forbidden at the resort, but officials do not conduct searches.
No other injuries were reported, but the shootout sent dozens of gamblers running for the doors.
"People were leaving their chips on the table. I left money in the machine. It was just crazy," Bob Golub, of Pittsburgh, told the Reno Gazette-Journal.
Witnesses said they heard at least four shots during the incident that lasted only seconds.
The main casino remained open Sunday with only the crime scene cordoned off as authorities continued investigating.
Right up the street from where my mother and sisters live. I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often.
Just DARN!
Since this guy already has a criminal record is picture should be in someones archives, so the only reason its not being printed is..., well I'll let you guess.
I wonder why he wasn't at Harvey's.
Was he holding Aces and eights?
Wow...sounds like that CSI episode...
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