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One man killed, couple arrested in connection with Hard Rock shooting

A massive law enforcement response staged at Hard Rock.
Ashleigh Goodwin/Tahoe Daily Tribune

STATELINE, Nev. — A man was shot and killed on the casino floor of the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel on Saturday morning and a pair were arrested at gunpoint a short time later after fleeing the scene, authorities said.

Multiple law enforcement agencies and first responders rushed to the casino at just after 8 a.m. Saturday for reports of an active shooter.

U.S. Highway 50 through Stateline was closed as were the surrounding businesses.



Law enforcement could be seen from U.S. Highway 50 drawing weapons from their vehicles and donning protective gear as they rushed towards the building.

At about 11:30 a.m. emergency vehicles were cleared off US-50 and a shelter in place order was lifted. At least four ambulances and two fire engines standing by at the scene or providing backup were released.



A massive law enforcement response staged at Hard Rock.
Ashleigh Goodwin/Tahoe Daily Tribune

The shooting appeared to be the result of an argument, Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley said at a press conference conducted at Stateline Saturday afternoon.

The victim was identified as Omar Reyes Garcia, 32, who was found near the Center Bar with a gunshot wound to the head. He was the only victim.

“A description of the suspect and his associated vehicle was provided by Hard Rock Security and Surveillance,” the sheriff said. “The vehicle was located and stopped by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office on U.S. Highway 50 near Sierra-at-Tahoe.

Edgar Julian Delgado, 24, and Savannah Racquel Tautaupale, 26, were arrested at gunpoint, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

A Nevada Department of Transportation snow plow was used to help block U.S. Highway 50 through the casino corridor.
Ashleigh Goodwin/Tahoe Daily Tribune

“Delgado was arrested for open murder by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office at our request,” Coverley said. “Tautaupale was arrested for DUI by the California Highway Patrol.”

Both individuals were booked into the EDSO jail in South Lake Tahoe.

Tautaupale was released as of Sunday morning and was also charged with felony accessory after the fact according to jail records and a bail was set at $250,000.

Delgado remains in custody with no bail set.

“I would like to thank all of the agencies that responded to assist the DCSO,” Coverley said. “Our partnerships with the surrounding jurisdictions continue to be remarkable. I would also like to thank the Hard Rock Casino for their quick response and support.”

Kurt Hildebrand of The Record-Courier contributed to this report. Ashleigh Goodwin is a reporter for the Tahoe Daily Tribune, a sister publication of the Sun. She can be reached at agoodwin@tahoedailytribune.com.


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