Casino Queen is scheduled to reopen at 8 a.m. Monday after three disguised men armed with rifles robbed the East St. Louis casino early Sunday morning and shot a New Athens firefighter who was working as a security guard.
The shooting happened about 2:50 a.m. Sunday, according to Illinois State Police. The suspects also robbed a cashier cage on the main casino floor. The men fired multiple shots, according to state police, and struck the guard, who was unarmed.
As of Sunday evening, police were still searching for the men.
The three suspects fled with an unknown amount of money and are still at large. On Monday, the Illinois State Police released three photos of the suspects.
Cahokia Fire Chief Stephen Robbins said he was walking out to the parking lot of the casino with his family when the shots fired inside. He said he worked with MedStar to help the victim.
A spokesperson for the Casino Queen says their security team “is supplemented by armed, sworn officers of the Illinois Gaming Board.” They say the casino was evacuated during the incident, and will re-open when the investigation is complete.
A large police presence was surrounding the building when 5 On Your Side’s Rachel Menitoff arrived on the scene shortly after the incident. Officers from Madison County, Cahokia, Allerton, St. Clair County and the Illinois State Police were on the scene to help with the investigation.
Anyone with information should call Illinois State Police at 618-346-3990. Callers can remain anonymous.