Investigation of shooting concludes casino went beyond regulations

John Porretto

Thursday, Jan. 25, 2001 | 10:26 a.m.

JACKSON, Miss. - The Mississippi Gaming Commission has concluded that Casino Magic Biloxi "excelled in its treatment" of a fatal shooting at the casino this month.

Sylvester McConnell of Mount Vernon, Ala., was in the high-limits area of the casino on Jan. 13 when he used two handguns to shoot three people before killing himself.

Hundreds of patrons were gambling when the shooting took place, and more than a dozen guests were injured in a mad scramble for the exits.

"All statutes and regulations relating to the security of patrons and/or emergency operations management have been met and exceeded in this tragic situation," according to a statement released Wednesday by the state Gaming Commission.

Casino Magic Biloxi General Manager John Ferrucci said the commission's findings echo what he has said since the night of the incident - that his employees were well-prepared for the emergency.

"We handled it by the book," Ferrucci said. "It was fortunate that we were in a shift change and had additional officers on the property."

The commission's investigation revealed that its agents responded within 15 minutes of the shooting to help Biloxi police officers and Casino Magic personnel.

When the shooting occurred, 26 casino security officers, two security supervisors and two casino investigators were on the property, according to the Gaming Commission. The casino's security director and security manager also were there, the commission said.

A total of 12 people trained in emergency and medical assistance were in the casino, including three who came over from nearby Grand Casino Biloxi after hearing of the shooting, according to the commission investigation.

Surveillance tapes indicated "a rapid response by security once the situation allowed them to enter the crime scene and provide medical assistance to the injured until law enforcement and medical personnel arrived," the commission said.

Police have said surveillance tapes revealed no reason why McConnell began firing. A Biloxi police captain said the tapes showed McConnell ordering a drink and later firing nine shots into the crowd.

Authorities recovered a .38-caliber pistol and a .357 Magnum at the scene and another gun in McConnell's clothing at the hospital.

At its monthly meeting last week, the Gaming Commission said it's considering a regulation that will require casinos to prove to state gambling regulators that they have enough security and medical personnel for emergencies.

Executive Director Chuck Patton said the proposal was in the works before the Casino Magic shooting. In Wednesday's statement, the commission said the casino also would have been in compliance of the proposed, more detailed regulation.