Brooklyn Man Held After Violent Incident at Atlantic City Casino
Violent Incident at Atlantic City Casino
A 26-year-old man from Brooklyn remains in custody following a violent confrontation at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City that left another guest with serious injuries.
Details of the Altercation
The incident took place in the early hours of July 13 when a verbal disagreement on the casino floor escalated rapidly. Police were called just before 4 a.m. after reports emerged of a fight involving a weapon.
According to investigators, the situation intensified when Keontay Long threw a chair, striking the victim in the head. Footage from surveillance cameras captures the victim trying to flee but being pursued and forcibly brought down. Two other individuals, Kevan Winkle, 25, and Tori Sylvanus, 27, are accused of helping restrain the victim while Long allegedly slashed his face with a folding knife.
The injured man was rushed to the hospital and required emergency surgery to address a deep wound on his face. Authorities later confirmed that although the injuries were serious, they were not life-threatening.
Casino security quickly intervened, detaining all three suspects on the premises until police arrived. Officers recovered what is believed to be the knife used during the attack.
Legal Proceedings and Custody Status
Long has been charged with aggravated assault with a weapon and unlawful possession of a weapon. Winkle faces similar charges, whereas Sylvanus was charged with simple assault and released on a summons. Winkle was also released following a court hearing.
At a detention hearing, Long’s defense highlighted gaps in the evidence and suggested that additional context could change how the incident is understood. They also emphasized his lack of prior criminal record, steady employment, and impending fatherhood to argue against pretrial detention.
Despite these arguments, the court underscored the seriousness of the alleged actions. The judge noted that the victim appeared to try to disengage before being pursued and attacked, characterizing the sequence of events as alarming. Concerns were also raised regarding the use of a weapon in a casino environment and the force involved.
Ultimately, the judge ordered Long to remain in custody, citing public safety concerns and the violent nature of the allegations. The defense team is considering an appeal of this decision.
