BREAKING NEWS: Shooting at Wildhorse Resort and Casino

By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

BREAKING NEWS

UPDATE 6:35 p.m. from Pendleton School Superintendent Kevin Headings:A message from Superintendent Headings:RE: Incident at Wildhorse Resort & Casino

Today at approximately 1:00 PM there was a shooting at Wildhorse Casino. There were some PSD staff onsite for a school event. Several members of our staff witnessed the incident and one staff member was injured. The safety and well-being of our students and staff are always our number one priority. The PSD staff involved will be meeting to debrief and receive support. Please keep everyone involved in your thoughts.If you or a family member are impacted by this tragic incident, please call for assistance to the mental health emergency line 988.

POSTED EARLIER:

RECAP AT 6 p.m. from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation:

RECAP AS OF 6 p.m. 8-17 from CTUIR:

Armed Robbery at Wildhorse Resort & Casino Results in Arrest

MISSION, OR – On Wednesday, August 17, at approximately 1:04 PM, the Umatilla Tribal Police Department (UTPD) responded to a reported robbery in action at Wildhorse Resort & Casino on 46510 Wildhorse boulevard, which is located within the boundaries of the Umatilla Indian Reservation – East of Pendleton, Oregon.

Law enforcement from multiple agencies dispatched to the scene where they located the suspected gunman attempting to exit the resort. Shots were exchanged by both the suspected gunman and police. An officer involved shooting occurred and the suspect was reported to be injured. He was then apprehended by police and taken into custody and transported to the hospital. His condition is not known at this time.

Authorities report one other injury in addition to the suspect. A bystander was shot during crossfire and was taken to the local hospital for treatment and evaluation. Their condition is not known at this time. This incident is currently under investigation by the UTPD with the assistance of the FBI, and local and state law enforcement agencies.

Update as of 2:50pm from WildhorsePendleton, OR – An incident occurred early this afternoon at Wildhorse Resort & Casino when an armed man attempted to rob the the casino.

Tribal police were immediately contacted and were outside when the gunman attempted to leave the building. Shots were fired and the gunman was injured along with one bystander. Both were taken by ambulance to St. Anthony Hospital.No one else was injured.

Wildhorse Resort & Casino remains open at this time but the food court is closed until the investigation is complete.“We are grateful no one else was physically injured with all that took place,” said Gary George, CEO. “Security personnel and Tribal Police were quick to act and the situation was controlled in a swift manner.”

“Wildhorse employees are the best,” George explained. “The way the cashiers and everyone handled the situation was exemplary.”Police remain onsite this afternoon as the scene is investigated.

UPDATE AT 1:55 p.m. from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation:

Authorities within the CTUIR are aware of the active shooter situation at Wildhorse.

• There was an armed gunman at Wildhorse Casino and Resort.

• Police intercepted him at the door where there was a shootout with the police.

• The suspect is in custody.

• A bystander was shot and their condition is unknown.

• Site is secure.

Approx. 20 police were on site: UTPD, FBI, County, and City.

We are asking the public to please stay away from the casino & resort area at this time while officials continue to evaluate the situation and conduct their investigation. More Details are forthcoming. Please standby.

POSTED EARLIER:

We are receiving reports of possible shots fired at Wildhorse Resort and Casino in Pendleton. We will update with information from officials as soon as information is released.