A manhunt is underway in Maryland after a gunman opened fire in a casino food court on Wednesday, killing one man and injuring another in what police have described as a targeted attack.
Details of the Fatal Attack
The shooting occurred at approximately noon on Wednesday, 4 December 2025, at the MGM National Harbor hotel and casino complex in Maryland, located just outside Washington D.C. According to Prince George's County Police Department Chief George Nader, the suspect entered the food court and appeared to know exactly where his victim was located.
Surveillance footage indicates the victim, a man believed to be in his 20s, was ordering food when he was shot. Chief Nader stated there was no prior interaction between the two men, suggesting the assailant went directly to his target. "It appeared they were looking for this person, chased them down, and the shooting occurred right there in the food court," Nader explained during a press conference.
Police Response and Investigation
Officers responding to the scene found the young man with fatal gunshot wounds. The suspect is believed to have fled the area by car shortly after the attack. While nearby schools were briefly locked down as a precaution, authorities have since stated there is no active threat to the wider community.
The casino itself remains open for business, with only the food court area cordoned off as an active crime scene. Chief Nader sought to reassure the public, noting such violent incidents are rare at the venue and expressing confidence that the case would be solved. "We're confident we'll close this case," he said.
A Broader Context of Casino Violence
This tragic event follows another recent casino-related shooting in the United States. In September of this year, two people were killed and five others wounded during a shooting in a casino parking lot in Texas.
The MGM National Harbor, which opened in 2016, is a major entertainment destination situated on a large site near the Potomac River and the Capital Beltway. The investigation, led by the Prince George's County Police Department, continues as they search for the armed suspect.
