Indiana Bar Massacre Fueled by $10K Horseshoe Hammond Casino Loss

Posted on: April 3, 2025, 06:17h. 

Last updated on: April 3, 2025, 06:19h.

Philip Conneller @casinoorgphilc Read More
Expertise: Gaming Business, Regulation, Tribal Gaming.
  • Suspect lost thousands at casino before shooting.
  • Two people killed, three others injured in attack.
  • Gunman admitted to targeting victims at Portside Pub.

An Indiana man accused of carrying out a deadly shooting rampage at a bar in the city of Hammond lost thousands at the Horseshoe Hammond hours prior, according to court documents.

Hammond shooting, Caprice Cashaw, Portside Pub, Horseshoe Hammond, Indiana crime
Caprice Cashaw, above, has admitted killing two people and wounding three in a shooting spree at the Portside Pub, close to the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Ind., after a disastrous night of gambling. (Image: Hammond Police Department)

Caprice Cashaw, 31, of Merrillville, Ind., was charged Tuesday with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder in connection with a mass shooting at the Portside Pub in the city that killed two and injured three more on Sunday morning.

Cashaw allegedly fired at least 20 shots outside the bar, claiming the lives of bartender Paul Olivares, 25, and customer Lorraine Reyna, 59. He then walked into the pub and fired around five more rounds at patrons, according to witnesses.

‘I Shot Everyone’

Cashaw’s girlfriend, who is not named in police reports, was shot 10 times. She and another male customer remain in a serious but stable condition, according to police. A female customer also injured in the melee was discharged from the hospital Tuesday.

The suspect subsequently admitted to police that he “shot everyone at the Portside Pub” and was aware of his actions when he did so, according to court filings.

Cashaw also told police he had lost $7K at the casino, which he blamed on his girlfriend. Another witness told police the suspect had lost $10K.

Cashaw and his girlfriend left the casino at around 3:10 a.m. and quickly began arguing about the losses. Cashaw began hitting the woman while he was driving, court filings state.

He stopped the car outside the Portland Pub at around 3.30 am and continued to physically assault his girlfriend both inside and outside of the vehicle for six minutes, according to the filings.

Shots Ring Out

When the four people inside the bar became aware of the abuse, they went out to confront Cashaw. Two customers then retreated inside the bar and closed the doors, while Olivares and Reyna continued to try to diffuse the situation outside.

At one point, Cashaw’s girlfriend bolted from the vehicle and made a break for the bar. Olivares shouted to the customers inside to open the bar doors as shots rang out.

His girlfriend staggered into the bar, collapsing halfway inside after being shot multiple times in the back.

After shooting Olivares, the suspect fired multiple rounds into Reyna’s back, according to authorities. Cashaw then entered the bar and shot the two customers before fleeing.

When police arrived shortly afterward, Olivares and Reyna were found dead at the scene.

Cashaw is due in court April 9.