Five Employees Stabbed Inside Thunder Valley Casino Restaurant

LINCOLN, Calif. – A Thunder Valley Casino Resort employee was arrested after five co-workers were stabbed inside a restaurant kitchen Wednesday night.

Joseph Naugle, 22, was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, while authorities said none of the five victims suffered life-threatening injuries.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded at about 7 p.m. Aug. 19 to a reported stabbing at Dos Coyotes Border Cafe inside the casino. Deputies took Naugle into custody within minutes.

Related: Murder Suspect Arrested Naked at Mardi Gras Casino in Nitro

Five Restaurant Employees Injured

Investigators said Naugle and all five people who were stabbed worked at Dos Coyotes and that the suspect appeared to know the victims. Authorities said a knife was used in the attack, but they have not publicly identified a possible motive.

One victim was transported to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. The other four were treated at the scene by Thunder Valley emergency medical personnel and Cal Fire paramedics, according to authorities.

Thunder Valley officials said the stabbing occurred in the restaurant’s kitchen rather than on the casino gaming floor. No guests were involved or injured in the incident.

Suspect Booked on Attempted Murder Allegations

Naugle was taken into custody while he was still at the casino and was subsequently booked into jail. The Los Angeles Times reported that jail records listed two felony attempted murder counts, while the sheriff’s office said additional charges were expected as the investigation continued.

Authorities said Naugle appeared to have acted alone. No additional suspects were being sought following the attack, and the sheriff’s office said there was no continuing threat to the public.

Investigators remained at the property after the arrest as they worked to determine the circumstances surrounding the stabbing. Authorities had not disclosed a motive as of Thursday.

Casino Remains Open After Attack

Thunder Valley Casino Resort was not evacuated following the incident and remained open Wednesday evening. Dos Coyotes closed while authorities investigated the restaurant area.

The incident did not interrupt broader gaming operations at the resort, according to statements provided by casino representatives to local media. Emergency personnel treated four of the injured employees at the property before investigators continued their work at the scene.

Thunder Valley Casino Resort is located in Lincoln, approximately 30 miles northeast of Sacramento. The property is owned by the United Auburn Indian Community, which opened the casino in June 2003 and has since expanded it into a casino, hotel, dining and entertainment resort.

The stabbing remains under investigation, and Naugle has not been convicted of the allegations against him.

RELATED TOPICS: Casino & Games