Court Orders Mental Evaluation in Casino Shooting Case

A court in Maverick County has approved a request for a mental evaluation in the case of the suspect in last year’s fatal shooting at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass, Texas, US.

Shooting Followed by Police Chase 

The alleged shooter, 35-year-old Keryan Rashad Jones from San Antonio, has been accused of opening fire in the casino’s parking lot just a few moments before midnight on September 27. 

Investigators say the attacker killed two people and wounded five others before fleeing the scene.

Authorities reported that Jones left the casino area after the shooting and briefly led police on a high-speed chase. He was later arrested in Wilson County and transported back to Eagle Pass to face charges.

The victims have been identified as Marcus Antley, a retired US Customs and Border Protection agent, and Alicia Sanchez, a 32-year-old mother of five from Dimmit County.

Jones now faces nine felony charges, including two counts of capital murder and several counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He has pleaded not guilty.

Court Approves Motion

Court records show that Jones has been under suicide watch while held in custody. His attorney, Alfredo Padilla, requested additional time to review his client’s mental condition as part of the defense strategy.

On Tuesday, April 7, the court approved a motion for a formal mental evaluation. The results are expected to be presented at the next hearing scheduled for May 6. The case is currently set for trial on October 13, and proceedings are expected to last about a week.

Local news outlet KENS 5 previously reported on Jones’ condition in jail and the ongoing legal process surrounding his case.

So far, investigators have not released any clear motive for the shooting, but the upcoming mental evaluation is expected to play a key role in how the defense and prosecution prepare for trial later this year.

Earlier this week, Gambling News reported on a different case of a casino shooting that had rapper Kiari Kendrell Cephus, best known as Offset, as a victim. The artist, who was shot outside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Florida, was taken to a hospital in stable condition.