Two security guards remain in stable condition with neck wounds after being attacked by a knife-wielding man at a Stateline nightclub. The assailant is being sought by authorities and faces two counts of attempted murder with a deadly weapon, authorities said.
Justin Ready, a 25-year-old from the Bay area, is suspected of using the blade, possibly a folding knife, after being escorted out of Altitude Nightclub at Harrah's Lake Tahoe on Sunday night by the two guards, said Douglas County Undersheriff Bob Rudnick.
Investigators were attempting to serve a warrant Monday for Ready's arrest. Lt. Mike Biaggini said early investigations revealed Ready has no criminal history. Authorities believe he was with a group of people.
Ready was dancing in an "unauthorized" area, such as a stage, which prompted his removal, Rudnick said.
The 11:45 p.m. attack occurred outside of the club but in the casino. Each guard was cut once in the neck then transported by air to Washoe Medical Center in Reno for treatment of the injuries, said Rudnick, who didn't know whether the injuries were from a slashing or stabbing motion.
Rudnick would not release the names of the injured guards.
Ready fled the scene and may have been in a white van believed to be headed toward the Bay area, Rudnick said.
"It's our understanding that he associated a lot with other deejays," Biaggini said. "I don't know for a fact yet if he is a deejay himself, or if he hangs around (with deejays)."
Ready is described as a white male, 6-foot-3-inches tall, about 200 pounds and having brown hair. He has facial hair on his chin and a silver stud pierced below his lower lip. Authorities consider him armed and dangerous.
Sundays at the club are advertised as $1 drink nights. It is not known if alcohol played a factor in the attack.
Fights at Stateline casinos, especially ones with nightclubs, are not uncommon.
Many fights involve attempts to punch, kick, or strike security guards, but reports of attacks on the guards with dangerous weapons are rare.
John Packer, spokesman for Harrah's Lake Tahoe, was unaware of a "policy to pat everybody down," but said there are plenty of security guards in and outside of the club. Packer said there's a "very close check on anybody trying to carry anything in."
One security guard is a Harrah's employee; the other is with Event Services Inc., a Reno-based company that provides roughly 300 private guards to casinos in Northern Nevada.