Poker Writer
Multiple law enforcement agencies have responded to an ongoing situation at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut on Monday morning. According to information reportedly obtained by police scanners, a man was holding a woman hostage on the 16th floor of one of the hotel towers at the resort. The man is refusing to open the door after the female hostage was reportedly released.
The Connecticut state police responded to the incident, which began at 6:30 a.m., and began working with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Police Department, who typically handle incidents on the tribe’s sovereign land.
A SWAT team is also reportedly at the scene. The operation is centered at the base of the Fox Tower, the resort’s 31-floor hotel tower.
Foxwoods is home to one of the more popular and crowded poker rooms on the East Coast. As a result of the standoff, parts of the resort have been closed off. However, police believe they have the situation contained, and there’s no immediate danger to other guests.
Update — Oct 20, 2 p.m.
The situation now appears to have been fully resolved.
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Police Department released a statement clarifying that rumors of an ongoing hostage situation were incorrect, but confirming that two individuals had been briefly held against their will:
Law enforcement are managing a situation in a Fox Tower hotel room involving an individual believed to have unlawfully restrained two people before quickly releasing them earlier this morning. Reports of a hostage situation are incorrect. We urge against the spreading of unverified information. This is an isolated and contained situation. Official updates will be made as they become available.
Meanwhile, the Foxwoods social media team had to backpedal after a promotional post (which may have been pre-scheduled) appeared on the casino’s X feed as the situation began to unfold. Users responded angrily to the post, which has since been deleted.
“Amazing with what’s going on, this is what you post to the public,” wrote one user.
Update – Oct. 21, 12 noon
The suspect was apprehended and identified as 40-year-old David R. Griswold. He was hit with multiple charges.
- Two counts first-degree criminal attempt of assault
- Two counts unlawful restraint
- Breach of peace
- Interfering with police
- Two counts first-degree reckless endangerment
- Carrying a pistol or revolver under the influence of alcohol/drugs
The East Windsor man is held with a $1 million bond. His arraignment is on Tuesday.
Image credit Pi.1415926535 via Wikimedia Commons (license)
