Thunder Valley Casino Mass-Stabbing Suspect Pleads Not Guilty as Family Cites Mental Health

A California casino restaurant worker accused of stabbing five coworkers pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and assault charges on Wednesday.

Joseph Benedict John Naugle, 22, entered the plea Wednesday (Aug. 26) in Placer County Superior Court in connection with the August 16 attack at Dos Coyotes Border Café inside the Thunder Valley Casino Resort near Lincoln, Calif.

Naugle is accused of attacking five fellow restaurant employees with a knife shortly before 2 p.m. Two of the victims suffered injuries serious enough for prosecutors to charge him with two counts of attempted murder, while he also faces assault with a deadly weapon charges.

One victim was transported to a hospital while four others were treated at the scene, authorities said. None of the injuries was considered life-threatening.

Naugle was still wearing his apron when he was arrested at the casino shortly after the attack and remains in custody without bail.

Psych Exam Requested

At Wednesday’s hearing, Naugle’s defense requested a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether he is fit to stand trial.

This came as Naugle’s family revealed he has experienced longstanding health problems.

“Joseph is a young man who has battled severe physical and mental health issues for a long time,” the family said in a statement provided to KCRA.

The family also expressed sympathy for those injured in the attack and asked for understanding of what it described as the “complex medical realities involved.”

Naugle appears to have experienced health issues since childhood. In 2012, when he was eight years old, Roseville police mounted a search for him after he became upset during a swimming party and ran away from his mother.

Police said at the time that Naugle had unspecified medical issues and could walk with a limp when tired. He was found several hours later hiding nearby and was unharmed.

Motives Still Unclear

Authorities have yet to disclose what they believe prompted the alleged attack at Thunder Valley. Naugle worked at Dos Coyotes, as did the five people he is accused of stabbing.

Thunder Valley Casino Resort is owned and operated by the United Auburn Indian Community and is located about 30 miles northeast of Sacramento.

Five criminal protective orders have been filed in the case, corresponding with the five alleged victims.

Naugle is due back in court September 2.