Sands Corporation Offering $50K Reward For Info On Murder Suspect

LAS VEGAS, NV - A $50,000 reward is being offered to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of Anthony Wrobel, a man Las Vegas Metropolitan Police say shot and killed a Venetian executive and wounded another Sunday evening at a company picnic at Sunset Park. The cash reward is being offered by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, police said Tuesday.

Mia Banks, Venetian's Vice President of Casino Operations, was identified as the deceased victim on Tuesday. Banks was employed by The Venetian since 1999. The second victim, identified as Hector Rodriguez, is currently in stable condition, according to LVMPD Capt. Robert Plummer.

The Sands Corporation described both as "founding members" of The Venetian. The Sands Corporation released the following statement on Tuesday:

It is with great sorrow we share that on Sunday evening during a team member picnic at Sunset Park two of our team members in the casino department were shot in what appears to be a targeted act of violence. Mia Banks, vice president of casino operations, did not survive her injuries and Hector Rodriguez, executive director of table games, is receiving treatment at a local hospital for injuries sustained during the incident.

Mia Banks was one of our founding team members and had been with The Venetian family since 1999. Hector Rodriguez is also a founding team member of The Venetian. Mia and Hector have been part of the fabric of The Venetian since our opening. They have demonstrated the very best of The Venetian and The Palazzo as leaders and as members of our Las Vegas community.

Our hearts are with both families, and everyone who has been affected by this senseless act of violence. We are honoring the families’ requests for privacy during this difficult time.

Grief counseling sessions will be available throughout the week to assist our team members.

Police are working with the FBI to locate Wrobel. His vehicle was found at Terminal 3 at McCarran International Airport within five minutes of the shooting being reported, Plummer said. Police say he may have fled the state. Plummer said police don't believe Wrobel boarded a plan, but could not confirm whether that was the case or not. Plummer said LVMPD is working with the FBI to confirm if he did or not.

"We're focused in our efforts to locate and apprehend Wrobel," said FBI Special Agent Joe Perez. "We're bringing all the resources the FBI has to bear in this investigation. We're also exploring the possibility of obtaining a federal arrest warrant for Wrobel in the event he unlawfully fled the state of Nevada."

Wrobel has been employed by the Venetian for 15 years and was described as "disgruntled." Police said the shooting is an isolated occurrence of workplace violence. Witnesses say Wrobel arrived at the picnic and asked where executives were seated. He then shot the two victims without warning, Plummer said.

"This was not a random act of violence," Plummer said. "The suspect in this case had planned this attack and targeted his victims."

According to Plummer, Wrobel was described by witnesses as having a mustache during the incident. Police say Wrobel may have changed his appearance. Police believe Wrobel is armed and dangerous and he should not be approached. Anyone with information is asked to call LVMPD at 702-828-3521 or 702-385-5555.

"We urge you to come forward," Plummer said. "Do it for Mia Banks and the other victims in this case."

Images and video via LVMPD