Renton man charged with murder in connection to casino shooting
King County WA June 23, 2023
King County prosecutors have charged a Renton man in connection to the May 27 shooting in a crowded casino in Seattle that injured two and resulted in the death of a 51-year-old man.
Prosecutors filed five felony charges on June 5 against 21-year-old Omar Upham Jr. including first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, and two counts of first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office pronounced Hung Quoc Nguyen dead on May 31, four days after the shooting at Roxbury Lanes — a casino, restaurant and bowling alley — in the 2800 block of Southwest Roxbury Street in Seattle. First responders transported all three victims to Harborview Medical Center following the shooting.
Harborview Medical Center did not immediately respond to a request regarding the status of the patients as of June 12.
According to prosecutorial documents, Upham walked into Roxbury Lanes searching for a 22-year-old man employed as a security guard at the business.
According to documents, the shooting potentially served as Upham’s third attempt to kill the man. In a later interview with the security guard, he reportedly told police he “told on (Upham) four years ago” in prison.
Security footage shows Upham approaching the security guard and pulling out a handgun. Immediately prior to Upham opening fire, the security guard runs into the crowded casino, sprinting past a card table and heading for the backdoor.
Upham starts shooting, and one of the rounds fired hits Nguyen, seated at the card table, in the back of the head. A second victim, a woman, falls to the ground holding her stomach. The security guard falls to the ground at the back of the casino.
Upham turns, leaves the casino, and flees the area. The security guard sustained two gunshots to the back. The woman was shot once in the abdomen.
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Nguyen’s death a homicide. According to the medical examiner’s office, Nguyen’s death resulted from a gunshot wound to the head, with the bullet striking him in the back of the head and exiting the front.
The King County Sheriff’s Office arrested Upham on June 1 in the 6900 block of Fox Avenue South in Seattle following an investigation.
Prosecutors argued for the court to hold Upham without bail. Upham’s arraignment was held on June 15.
Upham potentially faces a maximum sentence of life in prison based on the severity of the charges.
Upham’s next hearing has been scheduled for July 3, with his trial date scheduled for July 31.
