Biloxi Casino Murder Witnesses Plan to Sue, Remain Shaken By Shooting

Posted on: September 21, 2021, 08:24h. 

Last updated on: September 22, 2021, 08:50h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

Two witnesses to Biloxi, Miss.’s Golden Nugget Casino weekend shooting say they are traumatized by the violent event. The pair plan to sue the gaming property, according to a local TV report.

Both Tony Glenn and his partner, Justin Eldridge plan to seek counseling due to the ongoing stress from the shooing. They also plan to seek legal action. They say the casino is at fault because of the lack of metal detectors and other safeguards.

I will never forget that moment, ever, in my life, and it’s going to be with us for the rest of our lives,” Glenn told WLOX, a Mississippi TV station.

Glenn and Eldridge were at the casino early Saturday as a way to mark Eldridge’s birthday. They both reside in Panama City, Fla.

Eyewitness Accounts

Glenn came close to the shooter, Jereme Lamond Jones, 30, who was later arrested for first-degree murder.

I passed by the guy. I didn’t see his face. I just seen him from the waist down, and I seen [sic] the gun,” Glenn said. “He pointed the gun straightwards, … it was pointing directly at me at that point, and I took off running, and the next thing I heard was, ‘bam, bam, bam, bam.’”

Eldridge fled to safety in the nearby women’s restroom while on the phone with Glenn. He was unsure where Glenn was and was worried he had been wounded. But shortly after Glenn knocked on the restroom door and Eldridge let him in.

Two older women were also in the restroom for safety. Glenn said they were “panicking.”

All we heard was gunshots at this point. Nobody knows what that feels like,” Glenn added.

Another witness, Rosie Hartfield, heard that Jones allegedly walked into the casino armed with a firearm.

Other casino visitors scattered upon hearing the gunshots. A short time later, several police officers searched the casino floor for the suspect. The chaotic scene was videotaped and later posted on YouTube by Danny Barnett and WLOX.

Jones was eventually taken into custody by police near the casino. He was being held earlier this week at the Harrison County Adult Detention Center. Bond was set at $1 million.

Randy Johnson, 41, of Gulfport, Miss. died at the crime scene. He was a barber and had three children.

No one else was physically injured, according to initial reports.

Jones Worked as Coach, Played College Football

It was also revealed by WPMI that Jones is a “well-known” Mobile, Ala. athlete. While in college at the University of South Alabama, he was a wide receiver on the football team. He was eligible for the NFL draft in 2015, the station said.

In addition, he was identified by WPMI as a one-time coach at McGill–Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile.

The Golden Nugget in Biloxi is located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.