3 die in Oneida Casino shootings

ONEIDA, Wisc. — Detectives are investigating the first-ever multiple killing inside an Indian gaming business, after gunfire claimed three and seriously wounded another at the Oneida Casino’s Radisson Hotel & Conference Center property near the tribal headquarters in this reservation town. The violence is also the Oneida tribe’s first shooting incident.

The shooter collared for instigating the killing on May 1 is a disgruntled former employee at the Radisson Hotel, Oneida Nation tribal officials told Native Suns News Today. Police shot and killed the subject outside the casino and resort owned and operated by the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, they said. Carrying guns in the casino is illegal, but the shootings occurred in areas of lower-security than that in the gambling halls proper.

The attacker was targeting a person who worked at a restaurant inside the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, according to the tribal officials. Since the targeted employee wasn’t working on the evening of May 1, the subject shot known co-workers and friends, Brown County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Kevin Pawlak elaborated during a news conference at midnight on May 2.

On the morning of May 3, the sheriff’s office revealed the names of the fallen, during a joint media conference with the tribe. “The gunman who shot and killed two people and injured a third before being fatally shot by responding law enforcement officers has been identified as 62-year-old Bruce Pofahl of the Green Bay area,” a tribal publication confirmed. Pofahl is a former food and beverage manager of the Radisson’s Duck Creek Kitchen and Bar Restaurant. He was recently terminated from the restaurant’s employ and barred from the property by restraining order.

Baring a concealed 9 mm handgun, he shot two employees at the waiter station. Jacob T. Bartel, 35, and Ian J. Simpson, 32, died in the incident. Outside he then shot 28-year-old employee Daniel L. Mulligan. At press time, Mulligan remained in serious but stable condition in a Milwaukee-area hospital, according to the officials.

The fatal weekend events closed the business until further notice, as an avalanche of law enforcement operatives from various jurisdictions descended on the crime scene.  The Oneida Police Department requested the Brown County Sheriff’s Office investigate the double homicide and attempted homicide.

The Oneida Nation requested the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) lead the probe into the officer involved shooting of the suspect. That’s because jurisdiction of officer-involved shootings on reservations belongs to the state in Wisconsin and five other states on which the U.S. Congress conferred Indian country criminal jurisdiction in mandatory Public Law 280.

In all but Alaska, California, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, and Wisconsin, officer-involved shootings are investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice. An officer-involved shooting is defined as the discharge of a firearm, whether accidentally or intentionally, by a police officer, whether on or off duty, according to the FBI, which also is sifting through Oneida Casino evidence.

“Our investigative team is actively working to obtain eyewitness statements and process evidence,” said the Brown County Sheriff’s Office. It noted that the Wisconsin Crime Lab has been processing the scene of the incident. In addition, Ashwaubenon Public Safety, Green Bay Police, Hobart-Lawrence Police, the Wisconsin State Patrol, Oneida Nation Police, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice were at the scene.

“I’m grateful to the many first responders from multiple agencies who responded to the scene and to the investigators who are ensuring that there will be a full investigation of this tragic incident,” Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul stated. For its part, the tribe declared, “The Oneida Nation is fortunate to have a great working relationship with surrounding law enforcement.”

National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) Chair Ernie Stevens, Jr., who lives five minutes away from the Oneida Casino, said he was driving to have dinner with his wife at the complex when law enforcement diverted him. “I saw more police cars, ambulances and other rescue vehicles than I have ever seen my life on Saturday, May 1,” Stevens told the Native Sun News Today.

“The fast response shows how we work in a coordinated manner with law enforcement as we maintain high levels of security in our tribal casinos — because our utmost concern is for our customers and employees.” Stevens is an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and lives on the Oneida Indian Reservation. He frequents the casino and resort often, he said.

“One would think that something like this will never happen so close to home,” Stevens said.  “Unfortunately, this is indicative of the times we live in today. We ask for Indian country to keep our Oneida community in their prayers.”

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers tweeted: “Kathy and I were devastated to hear about the shooting at the Oneida Casino complex tonight. Our hearts, thoughts, and support go out to the Oneida Nation, the Ashwaubenon and Green Bay communities, and all those affected by this tragedy,” Evers said.

“The Oneida Nation is deeply saddened and heartbroken by the tragic shooting at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center,” the tribe said in a statement on May 2. “We have had many tribal governments extend their condolences and have offered to assist us. Local, state, and federal government authorities have also extended their offers for assistance. We are very thankful.”

Some 246 tribes operate 506 gaming establishments in 29 states, according to the National Indian Gaming Commission. Indian gaming — conducted at casinos owned and operated by Indian tribes — is a $32.4 billion per year industry.

In approving gaming establishments, whether Indian or not, communities debate social costs associated with them, such as violent crime. However, statistics on gun violence at Indian gaming establishments aren’t comprehensively collected and reported by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Since the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, tribal casinos have experienced no reported gambling floor shooting. However, in the last year, violent deaths outside various casino complexes owned and operated by tribes are on record. In these cases, law enforcement has said incidents were targeted and not acts of random violence.

On April 15, police tased and arrested a man after hearing gunshots in the parking area of the Wild Horse Pass Casino, owned and operated by the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona. The subject faces a charge of first-degree murder for allegedly firing at his ex-girlfriend and a man she apparently dated who died shortly afterward. On Aug. 22, a man died from a violent fight that started in the parking structure at the Pala Casino Spa & Resort, owned and operated by the Pala Band of Indians in southern California. Officials released no further information.

(Contact Darren Thompson at darrenjthompson@hotmail.com)

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