Washington Tribal Casino Falling Death Ruled an Accident
Posted on: January 5, 2026, 10:32h.
Last updated on: January 5, 2026, 10:41h.
- A man’s December 20 death at a Washington tribal casino was ruled an accident
- The man fell several stories after breaking through a glass partition
A man who fell to his death last month inside a Washington tribal casino did so by accident, local authorities say.
As Casino.org reported, Evan Potifara fell at the Emerald Queen Casino, a property owned and operated by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, in Tacoma on the night of Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. The incident occurred near the escalators that bring guests up from the main lobby area to the casino floor.
Potifara, 37, was later pronounced dead. Authorities with the Tacoma Fire Department said Potifara succumbed to his injuries, which he sustained after falling from the upper-level casino near the escalators.
On Saturday, more than 100 mourners gathered at a South Seattle middle school Potifara had attended years earlier to pay their respects. The vigil was originally scheduled for Sunday but was moved to Saturday night to accommodate the Seattle Seahawks game. Evans was a lifelong Seahawks superfan.
“We know he wouldn’t want his people to miss it,” said Potifara’s sister, Risepa Lutu.
Casino Accident
Potifara’s family called the December 20 accident a “tragic incident.” First responders reported that Potifara fell through a glass partition and landed several stories below.
He just fell. Like tripped or something. I thought it was a joke, but when I heard him crying, I said, ‘Okay, this is no joke,'” Lutu told KING 5 News, a local NBC affiliate.
His family and friends say Potifara was always upbeat and a joy to be around. Lutu has established a GoFundMe page seeking donations to ensure “Evan’s passing does not go in vain.”
He would want us to share his story and do the right thing. With your help, we’ll be able to get the job done for everyone who understands the importance of our duty as his sisters, family, and friends,” Lutu wrote without specifying what the money is needed for. The fundraising campaign has raised over $7,500, only half of its $15,000 goal.
The Emerald Queen in Tacoma is one of two casinos from the tribe in the area, with the other being located just east in Fife. The Tacoma property is the newer facility, opening in June 2020 at a cost of roughly $400 million. The Tacoma Emerald Queen Casino has 2,100 slot machines, 60 live dealer table games, a 155-room hotel, six restaurants, and a 250-seat center bar.
Casino Falls
As reported previously, falling deaths at casinos, while rare, do occur. With alcohol freely flowing, and gamblers at times losing much more money than they can afford, suicides are also unfortunately seen.
In February, a man at Harveys Lake Tahoe committed suicide by jumping out 20th-floor window. In January 2021, a 29-year-old at Ocean Casino in Atlantic City jumped to her death.
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