Casino sued over patron’s death

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2000 | 11:15 a.m.

The family of a tourist who was killed by a theft suspect at Harrah's Las Vegas hotel-casino sued the resort, alleging it lacked adequate security and was negligent in protecting its patrons.

In a Clark County District Court lawsuit, William and Henrietta Vitarelli, the parents of Heather Mersei Vitarelli of Napa, Calif., who was a patron at Harrah's on Sept. 8, alleged she was killed by "a foreseeable discharge of a handgun by an assailant being restrained by Harrah's security guards."

Harrah's security officers had approached two men -- Stephen Mullen and Michael Frimmel -- who were suspected of stealing from gamblers, police said. Mullen ran from the officers but was caught and while struggling with them fired two shots. One hit and instantly killed Vitarelli, police said.

Harrah's officials could not be reached for comment on the lawsuit.

archive