One Dead After Targeted Shooting at MGM National Harbor

A shooting left one man dead on Wednesday just before noon in the food court of MGM National Harbor, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

Prince George’s County police said officers responded to the casino after reports of gunfire. When they arrived, they found a man — believed to be in his 20s — dead at the scene.

Police Chief George Nader described the shooting as “targeted.” According to his statement, the victim was ordering food when the shooter appeared and immediately opened fire. He added that there was no apparent exchange or confrontation beforehand.

“It appeared that they were looking for this person, chased them down, and this shooting occurred right there in the food court,” Nader said.

Authorities say surveillance video captured the gunman, who they believe fled in a vehicle. However, they did not provide a description of the suspect or the getaway vehicle.

Initial reports suggested a bullet may have grazed a second person. However, Nader later clarified that it was not the case.

Authorities briefly placed nearby schools on lockdown as a precaution while officers searched the area. Police say there is no active threat to the general public.

Although the food court section was closed temporarily for investigation, the rest of MGM National Harbor remains open.

Chief Nader emphasized that violent crime in the area has decreased by approximately 32% this year. He added that incidents like this one are “rare.” He said the shooting appears to have unfolded simply because the victim and suspect happened to be in the same place at that moment.

Recent Casino-Linked Incidents

The MGM National Harbor shooting is the latest in a troubling pattern of violence at or near U.S. gambling venues.

In late November, two people were found dead inside a hotel room at the Borgata in Atlantic City. Autopsy reports determined that one victim died from a broken neck and the other from self-inflicted stab wounds. The investigation remains open as police work to understand the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

In late September, a shooting near a parking lot entrance at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Texas left two people dead and five others injured. The shooter fled and prompted a chase before police arrested him the next morning, about 180 miles from the casino.

In July, gunfire outside the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino in Reno left three people dead and several injured after a shooter opened fire in the valet area during early morning hours. Police later located the suspect, who died following an armed confrontation with officers.

In May 2024, a man was critically injured in the parking lot of Jake’s 58 Casino on Long Island. He later filed a lawsuit accusing the casino of failing to provide adequate security measures outdoors.

And in May 2021, a gunman killed two people inside the Oneida Casino near Green Bay before police fatally shot him. Investigators said the attacker appeared to be targeting specific individuals tied to a workplace dispute.

Image Credit: Duane Lempke via Wikimedia Commons (license)