Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Mercedes Giveaway Ends In Deadly Shooting

A brand new Mercedes E350 was given away at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel in Eagle Pass, near the Texas-Mexico border, but the night of celebration took a tragic turn when a shooting left two people dead.

Shooting at Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Leaves Two Dead, Several Injured

A local NBC News affiliate reported that “at least two to four others” were airlifted in critical condition to hospitals in San Antonio. Located about 150 miles south of San Antonio, the Lucky Eagle Casino sits in Eagle Pass near the Texas-Mexico border and is owned and operated by the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas. It is the largest casino in the state, offering more than 3,300 electronic gaming machines, including slot-like machines and bingo-based games, as well as poker.

The Lucky Eagle Casino saw larger-than-usual crowds on the night of Saturday, September 27, as it hosted a special evening of giveaways. Between 9 p.m. and midnight, guests had the chance to win a 2025 Mercedes E350, hourly $1,000 cash prizes, and a $3,500 grand cash prize as part of the “Mercedes September to Remember” promotion. Adding to the festivities, Houston-based Heart tribute band Barracuda TX performed classic hits from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame group for the packed audience.

The shooting occurred around 12:15 a.m. on September 28, roughly half an hour after the casino awarded the night’s grand prize. According to law enforcement, two people were killed, and at least seven others were shot. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other died while being transported to a nearby hospital.

A person of interest was taken into custody in Wilson County later on the day, located southeast of San Antonio. While a local Eagle Pass publication may have identified the individual, authorities from the Maverick County Sheriff’s Office and the Eagle Pass Police Department have not yet released an official name.

Barracuda TX Lead Singer Talks About the Event

Barracuda TX lead singer Rosalia Jeannette Guerra was on stage when the chaos erupted and later shared her experience with MySA. She recounted that it was about 15 minutes after the band’s performance when they were taking photos and chatting with audience members who had stayed behind to say hello. That’s when they noticed commotion near the casino area, with people running in all directions. Guerra stated that she and the rest of Barracuda TX were placed on lockdown for approximately 45 minutes and weren’t allowed to return to their rooms until around 1 a.m. on Sunday, September 28.

Guerra described the experience of being escorted through the casino as unsettling. She noted how eerie it was to see a normally busy 24-hour venue completely deserted. As they made their way toward the lobby entrance, the gravity of the situation became apparent. According to her, law enforcement officers, many of whom were heavily armed, were stationed throughout the area, and the scene was taped off. She observed numerous people waiting to be picked up or seeking information about their loved ones. 

Guerra expressed her sympathy for those affected, saying their hearts go out to the community. She called the situation deeply tragic and acknowledged the pain the families must be experiencing. Reflecting on the incident, she added that it was hard to believe they had been caught in the middle of such a devastating event.