1 Killed in Tahoe Casino Shooting

An exchange of gunfire left one person dead and two deputies injured Saturday afternoon inside Harrah’s Tahoe, authorities said.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputies Erik Eissinger and Dan Nelson were investigating a report of a suspicious person when they were shot inside the south shore resort about 2 p.m., investigators said.

Witnesses said at least four shots were fired in a high-stakes card area off the main casino. Investigators were uncertain who fired the first shot.

The suspect, described as a white male about 50 years old, was found dead at the scene. A woman believed to be with the man was being questioned by investigators Saturday night.

“His identity, motive and the manner in which he died are under investigation,” Sheriff’s Sgt. Tom Mezzetta said. “We’re still trying to put the pieces together.”

The officers’ injuries were not life-threatening, Mezzetta added.

Nelson, who was shot in a hand and hip, was flown to Washoe Medical Center in Reno. Eissinger, whose bullet-proof vest stopped a bullet to the torso, was sent to Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.

The crime scene was cordoned off, but the main casino remained open Saturday.

Witnesses said the shooting caused dozens of patrons to run for exits.

The card area was uncrowded at the time, and no other injuries were reported.

“I heard a ‘pop, pop, pop’ and I looked to assess the situation. All I saw was a lot of people running for the door,” Jeff Wren, 23, of Sacramento, told the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

Jason Sakamoto, 23, of Sacramento also described the scene as frantic.

“Everyone started running ... it was like a herd. At first I thought it was a bomb or a terrorist attack,” Sakamoto told the Tribune.

Eissinger, who joined the force in 2002, and Nelson, who joined in 2001, were placed on administrative leave.