Casino Crime Round Up: Florida Police-Involved Shooting

Posted on: November 29, 2023, 09:59h. 

Last updated on: November 29, 2023, 09:59h.

A man was apprehended Tuesday after he allegedly attempted to drive into a Florida police officer near the Seminole Classic Casino Hollywood. The officer fired a shot at the suspect, but he was not wounded, authorities said.

The Seminole Police Department unnamed officer was in a parking lot near the casino on a medical assistance call at about 7 a.m., according to Florida TV station WTVJ.

There apparently was a confrontation between the female officer and suspect, Solomon Eugene Terry, 26.

Terry then allegedly “used his vehicle as a weapon” against the officer, according to the police. The officer apparently feared for her life, and she fired a single shot in the direction of Terry.

Terry then jumped out of the car and ran from the parking lot located south of the casino.

The female officer was not injured.

Suspect’s Apprehension

Police sent out a helicopter, police dogs, and officers in tactical gear to search for Terry, according to Florida TV station WPLG.

About 90 minutes later, he was apprehended by officers in an industrial zone. He was handcuffed and booked.

Terry was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. His case was turned over to a local prosecutor’s office.

Terry has yet to enter a plea on the charge. If the case heads to trial, and he’s convicted, he could face years in prison.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Hollywood Police Department assisted in the investigation.

Previously, in an unrelated case, Terry was charged with aggravated battery, shooting inside an occupied building, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and carrying a concealed firearm in 2018.

He pleaded no contest in the case last year, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Florida Authorities Seize Gaming Machines

A Wednesday raid of an alleged illegal gambling operation led to the arrest of two suspects at a Florida arcade.

Computers, over 60 gambling machines, and cash were confiscated in the court-ordered search of Moonlight Express arcade located in Roseland, Fla. The business was shut down by local deputies.

The gambling raid was undertaken by the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Gaming Control Commission.

Officials had warned the arcade to stop illegal gambling. But the business temporarily stopped illicit operations only to start them up again, authorities said.

The gambling operation led to risk of related crime, officials said.

Source: casino.org