Explosive Devices Cause Evacuations at Hard Rock Tampa Casino

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa, Florida was evacuated on Sunday and Monday after explosive devices were discovered.

The Seminole Police Department revealed that the “crude” concealed devices with firework components were discovered within a 12-hour window. The casino was evacuated, and the devices were disarmed by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Disposal Team.

The department and the FBI are now investigating the matter. 

A scary scene

The first device was discovered in a men’s bathroom shortly before midnight on Sunday night, according to police. The explosives were deactivated shortly thereafter, and the casino reopened around 3 a.m. local time.

The reveal of the first device prompted a search of the remainder of the casino.

A second device was located in a different men’s bathroom in the Mezzanine area around noon on Monday, leading casino officials to order another evacuation. The bomb disposal team returned and successfully disarmed the second device, and the casino reopened. 

Not much is known about where the explosives came from, what their intent was, the damage that could have possibly been caused, or who put them there.

Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from the property to try to locate the perpetrators of the crime. The investigation is open and will continue to engage the Seminole Police Department and the FBI.

The casino was allowed to reopen after the second device was located and officials on-scene finished their sweep of the campus. 

A startling month

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa has been plagued with violent crime recently.

In August, a local couple was ambushed by two men who followed home from the casino. The men demanded money from the couple, who had hit a jackpot earlier in the night and cashed out around $3,000.

The incident, captured on a doorbell camera, depicts the two masked fugitives standing over and shouting “Money!” at Val Delacruz, who was shot in both legs. 

His girlfriend, Kim Chambliss, was also shot in her calf.

The robbery ended when a neighbor heard the commotion and decided to walk outside, at which point the men fled to their car and drove off. 

The lead suspect, Marcus Jenkins and Tristin Wright, face a bevy of charges including first-degree murder and principal to attempted murder.

Doctors suggested that it may take Delacruz up to six months to walk unassisted. 

“We’re just average people, you know, who are out having a good time, you know, who love each other and enjoying each other’s company,” said Chambliss. “And to know that we didn’t even realize that people were following us every step of the way. It’s scary. It’s scary.”