Melee Leads to Closure of Lake Tahoe Casino
- Share via
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — A melee has prompted a 2 1/2-day closure of a north Lake Tahoe casino.
The Hyatt Regency shut down its 24-hour casino until this morning as a safety precaution for hotel guests and employees, said general manager Heinz Gartlgruber.
Washoe County Sheriff’s Sgt. Sam Sammartano said the brawl erupted early Saturday at the Hyatt’s Lakeside Ballroom, across the street from the casino. He said it broke out during a gathering of the National Brotherhood of Skiers, a group consisting mostly of African Americans. He said about 300 people were there at the time.
No arrests were made, but the matter is under investigation. Three people were treated for minor injuries and released. Details about the brawl were sketchy.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Bill Devine said the incident was not racially motivated.
“We’re dealing with a lot of people coming up for the [Martin Luther King Jr. holiday] weekend--a lot of party-goers,” he said. “[There] simply [were] too many people in too small a place.”
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
