Woman Shot Near Ameristar Casino Garage, in Critical Condition

A 27-year-old woman is fighting for her life after she was shot in the neck at a parking garage near Ameristar Casino in St. Charles on Saturday at approximately 2:30 a.m., as per St. Louis, Mo. TV station KTVI.

The unnamed victim was rushed to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries that required emergency surgery, according to the police. 

According to KSDK News, the woman, though in critical condition, managed to tell police officers who arrived at the scene that she was shot by her boyfriend who has since been identified as 50-year-old Calving Koong.

According to investigators, the man admitted to the shooting shortly after he was arrested. 

Help from Casino Employees Was Crucial to the Investigation 

Police sources also said help from the Ameristar Casino employees was crucial for their investigation.

“They acted quickly in order to access whatever video surveillance they have in order to relate that to dispatchers who related to officers,” a police representative said in an interview. 

As per the images from the casino surveillance video, the woman was sitting in the driver’s seat inside a car that was owned by her boyfriend.

The vehicle, parked on the second floor of the casino’s parking facility, had the driver’s door open. 

The victim apparently attempted to exit the car but Koong forcefully pushed her back into the car. 

The couple then engaged in what was described as a struggle, according to the police report.

The woman ultimately escaped and flew from the car but was seen falling down on the garage pavement just a few feet away after she was wounded to the neck.

Casino Security Guard Spotted the Shooter 

Shortly after the woman fell to the pavement, a few on-lookers rushed over to help her, offering emergency first aid and alerting the authorities.

As Koong was trying to run away, he was quickly prevented from exiting the area by a concrete barrier in the parking garage.

Next, he was spotted by an Ameristar Casino security guard who soon arrived at the scene and apprehended the suspect. 

The shooter told the guard “I shot her. I shot her,” and later on Koong confessed his guilt to police officers who put him under arrest. 

The police thoroughly searched his vehicle, where they discovered a firearm that they seized as evidence.

Three Charges and a $500,000 Bond

Shortly after, Koong was hit with three serious charges, including first-degree domestic assault and first-degree kidnapping. 

He has also been charged with armed criminal action and was placed in custody at the St. Charles County Jail later the same day.

His bond was set at $500,000 and his case was turned over to local prosecutors. 

If he is convicted, the suspect whose motive was not revealed, could receive a prison sentence.

There have been no updates on the condition of the woman who has been identified as Malaysian by some sources. 

While the police have not revealed the details of her injuries, the charges could suffer an upgrade provided she does not survive.

Casino Security Guards, on Their Toes 

This is not the only instance of a casino guard offering critical help to victims on the premises or assisting with related police investigations.

In August, to prevent further escalation, a security guard at Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas shot an attacker who had previously stabbed two people.

In July, a security guard at Club One Casino was hurt in an encounter with an unhoused man after the latter was denied entry at the venue, at which point he became violent and allegedly hit the security officer with a metal object causing head injuries.

Despite the hits, the guard managed to call the police who quickly detained the attacker.