Published on: January 16, 2026, 08:05h.
Updated on: January 16, 2026, 08:07h.
- False threat prompted SWAT intervention and lengthy casino evacuation.
- Numerous evacuees; I-710 traffic diverted as police secured the area.
- Caller demanded $50K, alleging armed accomplices.
A fraudulent call regarding an active shooter at the Parkwest Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens, California, sparked an extensive police operation and led to the full evacuation of the casino on Thursday evening.
Initial reports indicated that the caller alleged in a 911 dispatch that a man armed with an assault weapon had entered the establishment. Yet, Bell Gardens Mayor Miguel De La Rosa informed NBC Los Angeles that the casino’s security received the call directly, suggesting that both accounts could be accurate.
Extortion Threat
De La Rosa reported that the caller told security he would start shooting on the casino floor unless he received $50,000. Furthermore, he claimed to have an accomplice ready to set off a bomb inside the casino.
Hundreds of patrons were evacuated to a nearby shopping center’s parking lot around 4 p.m. as police and SWAT teams arrived at the scene, according to various local sources.
“Suddenly, everyone stood up and they announced that we had to leave. They didn’t explain why or where we were going; they just told us to go,” said gambler Norman Garcia to NBC. “However, they allowed us to go to the cashier, which seemed a bit odd, indicating it wasn’t too urgent.”
This incident resulted in significant traffic disruptions as the California Highway Patrol shut down the northbound lanes of Interstate 710. The casino’s entrance was barricaded by a couple of armored SWAT BearCat vehicles, along with a range of other law enforcement vehicles, according to MyNewsLA.com.
It took approximately five hours for law enforcement to thoroughly search the casino for any potential threats. They began to clear the area shortly before 10 p.m., allowing evacuees to return shortly afterward.
“We must proceed with due diligence to ensure public safety. We need to be completely confident that there is no threat present,” stated Bell Gardens Chief of Police Paul Camacho.
Increase in Bomb Hoaxes
There has been a notable rise in false bomb threats targeting casinos in recent years. In some cases, these threats stem from gamblers who harbor grudges after significant losses, exemplified by Seth Maybee, who was arrested on January 6th for making a bomb threat against Harrah’s Lake Tahoe after losing $20,000 at the casino.
However, the apparent motive in this incident seems to indicate extortion, with the target possibly extending beyond the Bicycle Casino. NBC reported that LAX also received a similar hoax call on the same day, while Van Nuys Airport got one the day before.
If apprehended, the caller could face felony charges including attempted extortion and making a false bomb threat, both of which carry lengthy prison sentences under California law. Individuals involved in such cases have also been held financially responsible for the substantial costs associated with extensive police and SWAT responses, which can total six figures.