CA: FAMILY OF CASINO STABBING SUSPECT SPEAKS OUT
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LINCOLN, California (KCRA) — A man is in custody after five workers at Thunder Valley Casino were stabbed on Wednesday night, officials said.
Joseph Naugle, 22, was booked into the Placer County Jail on attempted murder charges, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said. The agency expects more charges in connection with the attack.
Officials said the stabbing was reported around 7 p.m. at Dos Coyotes Border Cafe inside the casino. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office said it appeared the suspect knew all of the people who were stabbed.
When deputies arrived on the scene, they took the suspect into custody within minutes. A KCRA 3 news crew saw a man with an apron in handcuffs and placed him into a patrol vehicle.
One person was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The four other victims were treated at the scene by Thunder Valley emergency personnel and Cal Fire. None of their injuries were life-threatening.
Thunder Valley officials confirmed the stabbing involved employees and happened in the kitchen area of the restaurant. Photos shared to KCRA 3 showed the workers getting treated by paramedics on the casino floor.
The sheriff’s office also confirmed on Thursday that Naugle and the five people stabbed were all Dos Coyotes employees.
There were no additional outstanding suspects and no active threat to people at the casino, officials said.
Thunder Valley added that the casino was not evacuated. The restaurant closed while the casino remained open for the evening.
On Friday, Naugle made his first court appearance in connection with the stabbing. He is ineligible for bail, and the Placer County District Attorney’s Office said five separate criminal protective orders were filed against Naugle.
KCRA 3 received a statement from Naugle’s family on Sunday regarding the stabbing:
“We want to express our profound sorrow and deepest sympathies to the Thunder Valley employees and their loved ones who are suffering following Wednesday’s events. We are praying continuously for their recovery and peace of mind. Joseph is a young man who has battled severe physical and mental health issues for a long time,” the statement reads in part. “While we cannot speak on the details of the active legal case, we hope there will be an understanding of the complex medical realities involved.”
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