Man convicted in St. Clair County court for shooting, armed robbery of Casino Queen

After a week of testimony, a Georgia man was convicted in a St. Clair Count court for a shooting and armed robbery of the Casino Queen in 2017.

Daryl S. Muhammad, 48, of Marietta, Georgia was found guilty Monday of armed robbery and aggravated battery with a firearm, both class X felonies, and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, a class 2 felony.

“The defendant’s egregious actions show a complete lack of respect for life and the law,” said Brendan F. Kelly, director of Illinois State Police, which led the years-long investigation. “It does not matter how much time has passed, ISP will continue to pursue justice and hold those who break the law accountable.”

Larry Weber, a private security guard and New Athens firefighter, was shot during an armed robbery. He suffered serious internal injuries as a result of the shooting, and had two surgeries to repair the damage, according to reporting in the BND at the time. He recovered, and returned to work.

According to court records, three men entered the valet of the Casino Queen at about 2 a.m. on Sept. 17, 2017 and ordered employees to get on the ground as they fired shots.

One man stayed behind to hold guards at gunpoint, and the other two headed toward the cashiers booth in the casino. Weber approached the booth and was shot. The man behind the counter at the booth opened drawers and started filling bags with cash, state police said.

All three suspects were carrying rifles. Weber, who was unarmed, was shot by one of the three men, later determined to be Muhammad.

The three suspects then fled the casino with $47,000 cash. The stolen money was found near the abandoned getaway car in East St. Louis at Exchange Avenue and 17th Street, state police reported.

Muhammad was arrested and charged in January of 2019 in Cobb County, Georgia.

“I want to thank the dedicated members of the Illinois State Police and supporting agencies for all of their work that allowed us to obtain this just verdict,” said St. Clair County State’s Attorney James Gomric in an emailed statement. “I also want to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution.

“Finally, I want to thank Assistant United States Attorney John Trippi, who served as a Special Assistant State’s Attorney, and Assistant State’s Attorney Alex Starnes for their tireless work in bringing Mr. Muhammad to justice.”