Santa Fe Station Casino Shooter Arrested for Attempted Murder of Guard

Posted on: December 18, 2021, 08:41h. 

Last updated on: December 20, 2021, 09:20h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A former convict remained in custody this weekend in Las Vegas after being charged with attempted murder. He allegedly wounded a security guard at Santa Fe Station Casino Thursday.

Michael Kasper
Michael Kasper in a mug shot, pictured above. He was in custody this weekend for attempting to kill a security guard at Santa Fe Station Casino in Las Vegas, police said. (Image: LVMPD)

The man was identified on Friday as Michael Joseph Kasper, 33.

He is charged with battery by a prisoner, concealed carry without a permit, and possession of a gun by a prohibited person, reported KSNV, a local TV station. Other charges are burglary while in possession of a gun, possession of a forged check, and attempted theft.

Fraudulent Check Attempt

The incident began at about 2:40 pm when Kasper attempted to cash a fraudulent check at the sportsbook’s cashier’s cage. The casino worker became suspicious of the check, which was for close to $2,000. It was written on a city of Las Vegas payroll account.

The employee then contacted the city’s payroll department. They informed the worker no such check was released to Kasper.

Security guards were alerted. But when they attempted to apprehend Kasper, he allegedly got into a struggle and a fight ensued.

Kasper Allegedly Fires Two Bullets

Kasper then allegedly displayed a firearm. Security guards quickly pushed him to the floor. Kasper was still able to discharge his firearm twice. Both bullets wounded one guard in the lower body.

Guards then were able to subdue Kasper. He was later turned over to Las Vegas Metro police. He was later booked at the Clark County Detention Center. Earlier, Kasper was convicted for robbery and burglary charges from a 2009 incident, KSNV said.

The wounded guard was taken to University Medical Center. He was in stable condition late this week. The guard’s injuries were not considered life-threatening, according to initial reports. No one else was injured in the incident, police added.

Following the shooting, Las Vegas Metro police praised the security team at Santa Fe for taking quick action, which prevented violence from escalating, according to KLAS.

“In this instance, they were able to take what potentially was a violent suspect and detain him immediately and wait for the police to get here, so that should give citizens a real sense of comfort to know that in an establishment like this they are doing their best to provide for security,” Metro Lt. William Matchko was quoted by the TV station.

The Santa Fe Station casino remains open. Santa Fe is owned by Station Casinos.