Shayne Sussman could spend years in prison

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The man who stabbed two Las Vegas resort employees before a security officer shot him in the middle of the casino entered a plea Tuesday and will be sentenced in November, records said.

Shayne Sussman, 25, pleaded guilty by way of Alford to three counts of attempted murder. An Alford plea means he did not admit guilt but agreed prosecutors had enough evidence to convince a jury to convict him, records said.

The stabbings and then shooting happened around 1 a.m. on Aug. 3 inside the Red Rock Resort. The 8 News Now Investigators first identified Sussman shortly after his arrest.

Videos the 8 News Now Investigators obtained show a man prosecutors identified as Sussman walking through the resort’s hotel lobby before the stabbings. The video shows Sussman stumbling around and waiting until he sees an open door to an employee-only area

According to court transcripts, Sussman ran up to the employee “out of nowhere,” that employee told a Clark County grand jury. “He growled like an animal. Like he was a bear or something,” the employee said.

At 1:01 a.m., less than two minutes after the stabbings, hotel security came into contact with Sussman who was sitting near a restaurant in the casino. Sussman reportedly told the officer, “My heart. My heart is racing!” while holding a bloody knife. Staff described Sussman as “extremely under the influence.” A security officer then spotted a knife in Sussman’s hand.

Officers then chased Sussman through the casino. At one point, the video shows Sussman spin around with his knife in hand in an attempt to slash an officer. The officer testified to the grand jury that he believed Sussman barely missed. Another security officer then shot Sussman once as he ran from other security staff.

Sussman faces several years in prison, documents said. Prosecutors will ask a judge to sentence him to 20 years, though his parole eligibility could begin much earlier than that.

“The guilty plea agreement was reached through the court’s settlement conference program,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Dickerson said. “That involved a judge overseeing the negotiation process and all three victims of these crimes being present and involved every step of the way. Shayne Sussman’s guilty plea is a good step toward the healing these victims need. We will continue pursuing justice for the victims and the community at the sentencing hearing scheduled next month.”

Sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 26.