Published on: January 5, 2026, at 10:32 AM.
Updated on: January 5, 2026, at 10:41 AM.
- A man’s fatal incident on December 20 at a tribal casino in Washington was deemed accidental
- The man fell several stories after crashing through a glass partition
Authorities have determined that a man who tragically fell to his death within a Washington tribal casino did so accidentally.
As reported by Casino.org, Evan Potifara fell at the Emerald Queen Casino, owned by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, in Tacoma on December 20, 2025. This tragic event unfolded near the escalators that connect the main lobby with the casino floor.
Potifara, aged 37, was later confirmed dead. Tacoma Fire Department officials indicated that Potifara succumbed to injuries from falling several stories from an upper-level area near the escalators.
On Saturday, over 100 individuals gathered at a middle school in South Seattle that Potifara had attended in his youth to honor his memory. The vigil was rescheduled from Sunday to Saturday evening to accommodate the Seattle Seahawks game, as Evan was a lifelong fan.
“We know he wouldn’t want his people to miss it,” shared Potifara’s sister, Risepa Lutu.
Casino Incident
Potifara’s relatives labeled the December 20 event a “heartbreaking accident.” Reports revealed that he fell through a glass partition, plummeting several stories down.
“He just fell. It was like he tripped or something. At first, I thought it was a joke, but hearing him cry made it real,” Lutu told KING 5 News, a local NBC affiliate.
Described as an always cheerful presence, Potifara’s family and friends are honoring his memory with a GoFundMe campaign, stating they want to ensure “Evan’s legacy is upheld.”
“He would want us to spread his story and do what’s right. With your help, we’ll honor our commitment to him as his sisters, family, and friends,” Lutu mentioned, though she did not specify the intended use of the funds. The campaign has raised over $7,500 towards its $15,000 target.
The Emerald Queen in Tacoma is one of two casinos owned by the tribe in the region, with the second located in nearby Fife. The Tacoma location, a newer facility, opened in June 2020 at an investment of around $400 million. This casino features 2,100 slot machines, 60 live dealer table games, a hotel with 155 rooms, six eateries, and a 250-seat bar.
Casino Falls
Although rare, falls resulting in fatalities at casinos can happen. The presence of alcohol and high-stakes gambling often accompanies unfortunate incidents, including suicides.
Notably, in February, a man at Harveys Lake Tahoe took his life by leaping from a 20th-floor window. Additionally, in January 2021, a 29-year-old woman at Ocean Casino in Atlantic City also fell to her death.