River City Casino in Lemay emptied out in a hurry Wednesday after a reported bomb threat sent workers, guests and St. Louis County police into action. Authorities evacuated the casino, cleared patrons from the building and began sweeping the property while multiple patrol cars held their positions outside. No injuries were reported, and officials stressed that the shutdown was a precaution.
St. Louis County police answered the call after the reported bomb threat and later posted on social media that they believed the threat was unfounded, with no access to the casino allowed until investigators wrapped up their work, according to FOX 2. The outlet reported that officers described the evacuation as precautionary and confirmed there were no injuries. Police vehicles stayed on site while detectives and bomb-unit personnel went through the building.
Where It Happened
River City Casino sits at 777 River City Casino Boulevard in the Lemay area of south St. Louis County and includes a hotel and a large gaming floor, according to the Missouri Gaming Commission. The size of the property and its event spaces help explain why police moved quickly to clear the building once the threat came in.
Response On The Ground
Officers from the county's South County precinct, along with other units, locked down the perimeter while investigators carried out sweeps and searches, according to FOX 2. The casino stayed closed to both guests and staff while everyone waited for the all-clear, and authorities urged the public to steer clear of the immediate area during the investigation.
Why Threats Get This Level Of Response
St. Louis County's Bomb and Arson Unit has long treated any reported threat involving a crowded venue as a real risk until it is fully checked out, which means coordinated sweeps by specialized teams and temporary shutdowns of the sites involved, according to the St. Louis County Police Bomb and Arson Unit. Those established procedures, including clearing patrons, keeping the public at a distance and calling in bomb-squad resources, are the reason the casino and nearby roads ended up blocked off while the threat was being investigated.
