Police Hunt For Poker Player After Casino Picnic Murder

Two employees of the Venetian casino have been shot – one fatally and the other critically injured – in what Las Vegas police called “a targeted act of workplace violence” during a company picnic, with the suspected killer – apparently a poker player and dealer - still on the loose.

According to Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Ray Spencer, a man walked up to the picnic table and shot two people – at least one a Venetian executive, although later reports suggest both - shortly before 6pm yesterday, a woman in her 50s later dying in hospital while the man was said to be in critical condition.

Police have named the suspect in the shooting as 42-year old Venetian employee Anthony Wrobel, describing him as “white and about 5-foot-9 and 197 pounds”. He is considered to be “armed and dangerous”, with police finding his car at McCarran International Airport.

Hendon Mob has a listing for an Anthony Wrobel from Las Vegas, showing some $37,485 in cashes over the past several years, with Todd Witteles of the Poker Fraud Alert website tweeting as to the possible motive of the gunman, and the identities of those attacked…

The Sheldon Adelson-owned Las Vegas Sands, which operates the Venetian resort, released a statement saying:

“We can confirm there was an incident this evening at Sunset Park involving our team members. The Venetian team is working closely with Las Vegas Metro on the investigation.”

The shooting coincided with a remembrance tribute to those killed and injured in the Las Vegas Harvest 91 atrocity which shocked the city last October, the Academy of Country Music Awards ceremony replacing its traditional opening number with a more sombre note.

Jason Aldean, who was on stage when Stephen Paddock opened fire from the 3rd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, told the crowds gathered for the awards yesterday:

“With respect and love to the victims, we celebrate our music tonight.”   

According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, ‘some artists wore gold pins bearing the numbers 851, 58 and 1, respectively, representing the 851 injured during 1 October and the 58 who died, with the 1 symbolizing unity’.

With Aldean named Entertainer of the Year, he stated:

“For the one horrible night we’ve had here, I’ve had a million great ones, and tonight was a million-and-one.”