Shooter in 2017 Casino Queen Armed Robbery Convicted

A Marietta, Ga., man was convicted this week for his role in a robbery and shooting at the Casino Queen in East St. Louis, Ill seven years ago.

Daryl S. Muhammad, 48, was one of three armed men who entered the casino, now known as DraftKings at Casino Queen, at around 2 a.m. on Sept. 17, 2017. Larry Weber, a security guard at the casino and a local firefighter, was shot during the robbery by a man who was later determined to be Muhammad.

Webber suffered critical internal injuries that required two surgical operations. However, he recovered and returned to work. At least one casino patron was also injured during the heist.

‘Egregious Actions’

As the men entered the building, they fired shots into the air and ordered terrified employees onto the floor. All three were carrying rifles, according to court documents. While one man held guards at gunpoint, the other two headed toward the cashier’s cage. Weber was shot as he approached the cage.

The men took money from several of the casino’s cash drawers before fleeing with $47K. The stolen money was found near an abandoned getaway car in East St. Louis, state police later reported.

The defendant’s egregious actions show a complete lack of respect for life and the law,” said Brendan F. Kelly, director of Illinois State Police, which led the years-long investigation. “It does not matter how much time has passed, ISP will continue to pursue justice and hold those who break the law accountable.”

Muhammad was arrested in January 2019 in Cobb County, Ga., by the United States Marshal’s Service. His accomplices are still at large.

Facing 60 Years

After a weeklong trial at the St. Clair County Court in Illinois, Muhammad was convicted of armed robbery and aggravated battery with a firearm, both class 1 felonies, and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, a class 2 felony. He faces up to 60 years in prison when sentenced.

I want to thank the dedicated members of the Illinois State Police and supporting agencies for all of their work that allowed us to obtain this just verdict,” said St. Clair County State’s Attorney James Gomric in a Wednesday news release.

“I also want to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution,” Gomric added. “Finally, I want to thank Assistant United States Attorney John Trippi, who served as a Special Assistant State’s Attorney, and Assistant State’s Attorney Alex Starnes for their tireless work in bringing Mr. Muhammad to justice.”