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EDMONTON — A man is dead after apparently being shot in the back while walking out of an Edmonton-area casino Saturday morning.
The body of a large, black man could be seen lying face down outside the front entrance of the River Cree Casino just west of the city for most of the day as forensic investigators combed over the scene.
A scared patron said she had a sleepless night after she and others were told to leave the casino soon after the shooting around 1:30 a.m.
She came across a casino worker who appeared in shock after witnessing the gruesome scene.
“She said some guy had walked out of the casino and this guy just shot him in the back of the head,” said Theresa Haineault. “She didn't say how many times, just that the guy was shot in the back of the head and another person got hurt.”
Stony Plain RCMP would only confirm that a man was killed and that a woman had been taken to hospital where she was in stable condition.
Mounties had already been racing to the casino for reports of a large fight inside.
“When RCMP officers attended there were fights outside as well as they reported that a shooting had just occurred outside,” said Constable Barb Roy.
Guests in the adjacent hotel were told to leave at around 3:30 a.m.
“We were in the room and there was a siren and then a voice came on saying there was a fire warning and to stand by,” said Wayne White, a Manitoban staying at the resort for a wedding this weekend.
“So we got ready and then another male voice came on and said to please vacate the building.”
Hotel guests were allowed back in their rooms approximately 30 minutes later.
The casino has been closed until further notice.
