EVERETT, Mass. — In the last week there have been three incidents at the Encore Boston Harbor Casino in Everett, all requiring a police response.
A packed party in an Encore suite, complete with a DJ and dozens of party-goers required police to escort them from the premises over the weekend. Few, if any of the people there, were wearing masks.
“I am very concerned by the numbers of patrons they had in one hotel suite,” Everett City Coucilor Michael McLaughlin told Boston 25.
Everett is a designated red zone due to its COVID-19 infection rate. McLaughlin said this is unacceptable.
“We really have no time or place to bring in elements that continue to put the jeopardy of our community at risk by having large gatherings especially in one hotel suite," he said.
But that’s not all, two violent incidents also took place, and both are disturbing to city leaders.
“I am concerned about the violent situations that occurred,” McLaughlin said.
The first was a shooting on Sunday morning. A 29-year-old Randolph man is now charged with attempted murder.
After an argument inside Encore, the Middlesex DA says the man allegedly followed the victim from the parking garage off the property and fired several shots. The DA says the victim was taken to the hospital where he recovered from his injuries.
Then, early Thursday morning, a stabbing occurred inside the lobby after what police called an altercation inside at 2 a.m.
David Guante, 30, of Natick was caught by police after he took off. They found him in a parking lot across the street. Police also found a small knife. That victim was taken to Mass General to be treated for a small puncture wound.
Councilor McLaughlin says the city will be addressing these incidents with Encore.
“It’s something that needs to be discussed to make sure we can take every precautionary measure to stop them from happening going forward," he said.
Encore did release a statement to Boston 25 about changes they will be making. It says in part:
We have zero tolerance for irresponsible or unsafe behavior anywhere on our property.
Effective immediately, we now have a maximum occupancy of six people allowed in any hotel guestroom.
— - Rosie Salisbury, public relations director for Encore
MORE>>Encore Boston furloughs at least 3,000 employees and managers amid pandemic
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