A man from Marietta, Georgia, was found guilty this week for his involvement in a robbery and shooting at the Casino Queen in East St. Louis, Illinois seven years ago.
Daryl S. Muhammad, now 48, was identified as the individual who shot security guard Larry Weber at the Casino Queen in East St. Louis in September 2017. Two other individuals involved in the incident are still on the run.
Muhammad, along with two other armed men, entered the casino, which is now called DraftKings at Casino Queen, at approximately 2 a.m. on September 17, 2017. During the robbery, Larry Weber, a security guard at the casino and a local firefighter, was shot by Muhammad. Weber sustained severe internal injuries that necessitated two surgical procedures. Despite this, he was able to recover and resume his duties. Additionally, at least one casino patron was injured during the robbery.
Described as “egregious actions,” the men entered the premises firing shots into the air, causing panic among the employees who were then ordered to get on the floor. Court documents revealed that all three perpetrators were armed with rifles. While one of them kept the guards at gunpoint, the other two made their way to the cashier’s cage where Weber was shot.
The robbers managed to steal money from several cash drawers amounting to $47,000 before fleeing. The stolen money was discovered near an abandoned vehicle used as a getaway car in East St. Louis, as reported by state police.
Following a lengthy investigation led by the Illinois State Police, Daryl S. Muhammad was apprehended in Cobb County, Georgia, by the United States Marshal’s Service in January 2019. His accomplices have yet to be apprehended.
After a trial lasting a week at the St. Clair County Court in Illinois, Muhammad was found guilty of armed robbery and aggravated battery with a firearm, both classified as class 1 felonies, as well as unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, a class 2 felony. His possible sentence includes up to 60 years behind bars.
St. Clair County State’s Attorney James Gomric expressed his gratitude to the Illinois State Police and other supporting agencies for their dedication in securing the guilty verdict. He also thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois for their aid in the investigation and prosecution. Additionally, he commended Assistant United States Attorney John Trippi and Assistant State’s Attorney Alex Starnes for their unwavering efforts in ensuring that justice was served in the case.
