A brawl at Harrah’s Atlantic City reportedly escalated into a three-on-one assault, where a man faced a chair strike, was pursued across the gaming floor, and tackled while another patron inflicted facial cuts with a folding knife.
The incident ignited shortly before 4 a.m. on July 13, as reported by the Atlantic City Police Department (ACPD).
Officers received a call about a knife-related altercation at the Marina District casino at 3:54 a.m. By the time they arrived, the injured individual had already been transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s City Division.
According to police reports, the conflict began when the victim argued with three men from Brooklyn: Keontay Long, 26; Kevan Winkle, 25; and Tori Sylvanus, 27.
Escalation of Violence
Prosecutors claim that the casino’s security footage shows the moment the argument degenerated into aggression.
It is alleged that Long picked up a high-top chair from the floor and threw it, hitting the victim in the head.
The victim attempted to flee, but Long followed and tackled him. Winkle and Sylvanus are said to have restrained the victim while Long brandished a red-handled folding knife and slashed his face, as detailed in an affidavit of probable cause presented in court.
The facial injury necessitated emergency surgery, according to Long’s detention hearing as reported by Downbeach.
Authorities indicated that Long and Winkle fled the scene post-attack, whereas Sylvanus remained onsite.
Security personnel at Harrah’s apprehended Long and Winkle elsewhere on the property. Police later discovered the weapon used in the incident.
Multiple Charges Filed
Long faces charges for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault, conspiracy, possession of a weapon, and two counts of possessing a weapon for illegal purposes, as stated by ACPD.
Winkle has been charged with aggravated assault, conspiracy, possession of a weapon, and illegal weapon possession. Sylvanus is charged with simple assault and was released on a summons.
Winkle was initially held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility but was released after a detention hearing, according to Downbeach.
Long appeared in court on July 21 as prosecutors aimed to keep him in custody amid pending charges.
Defense attorney Andrew Imperiale argued that the allegations don’t present the full picture and indicated that evidence might show the victim was the instigator.
Imperiale emphasized that Long has no prior criminal history, is expecting a baby, and maintains two jobs, as reported by Downbeach.
Judge’s Concerns
However, Superior Court Judge William Miller focused on the allegation that Long persisted in the attack even after the victim tried to escape.
“After [the victim] attempted to retreat, he was sliced in the face,” Miller said. He also inquired why Long possessed a knife in the casino and why the victim was reportedly restrained before being attacked.
“This is a 26-year-old with no record, but why on earth would you hold someone down and cut their face?” Miller questioned.
The judge then determined that the alleged violence posed a significant public safety risk and ordered Long to remain in pretrial detention.