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Retired BPD officer killed outside AZ casino

New suspect ID'd in deadly AZ casino shooting
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A Christmas Eve shooting outside a Gila River casino has left one man dead and the suspect remains at large.

Police say the shooting happened outside Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino on the Gila River Indian Community on Thursday shortly before 9 p.m.

WHERE SHOOTING TOOK PLACE:

Gila River Police Det. Robert Hawkes originally identified 25-year-old Frank Rojas as a suspect in the shooting of 52-year-old Frank Pascua.

Authorities said after numerous tips, police were able to follow up on leads provided and able to clear Rojas as a person of interest in the homicide.

Officers are still looking for a suspect seen in surveillance video from the casino. Police said Pascua, who retired from the Bakersfield Police Department, was taken to a hospital but passed away overnight.

Pascua was also an officer with the Delano Police Department. 

Pascua worked with BPD from 1997-2003 and retired from the department due to injuries sustained on duty.

 

23ABC has contacted Delano and Bakersfield Police Departments to see if Pascua worked in their departments. Delano PD has not responded to the calls. 

Bakersfield Police official Gary Carruesco issued the following statement on Friday afternoon:

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Frank's family as they deal with this senseless tragedy. We hope for a rapid resolve in the search for the suspect and are confident that authorities in Arizona will not give up until the suspect is brought to justice."
 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Gila River Arizona Police Department at (520) 562-4511. 

Bakersfield, CA

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11/12/2026

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SaturdaySat

11/14/2026

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SundaySun

11/15/2026

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MondayMon

11/16/2026

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58° / 47°

60%

TuesdayTue

11/17/2026

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WednesdayWed

11/18/2026

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64° / 48°

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ThursdayThu

11/19/2026

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