Casino Winner Viciously Assaulted, Perpetrator Steals $38,000; Sentencing for the Assailant
Headline: Gambling Winnings Spell Trouble: Man Sentenced for Role in Brutal Home Robbery After Winning Big at Casino
Tribal Gaming, Violence, and Justice System TussleA 68-year-old becomes a casualty in a vicious post-casino win ambush
In a twisted turn of events, a Minneapolis man, Shawn Eric Lewis Jr., has been imprisoned for nearly five years following his involvement in a heinous home robbery outside his residence after triumphing at the Treasure Island Casino.
This chilling incident unfolded shortly after the victim's triumphant return home from the casino in Welch, Minnesota—a 50-minute drive southeast of Minneapolis. The brutal assault took place when a bloodthirsty red pickup truck rolled up beside the victim. Two men, in hot pursuit, pummeled the man while demanding cash, making off with his $38,000 worth of casino winnings[1].
In an act of cowardice and desperation, Lewis Jr.'s accomplices targeted not only the man but also his girlfriend and her niece. These unarmed women were met with the menacing threats of gunpoint upon their exit. The assailants even went so far as to issue a chilling warning: retreat indoors or risk being shot.
Washington County District Court Judge Siv Mjanger refused to exercise leniency, citing Lewis Jr.'s addiction to fentanyl and participation in jail-based treatment programs as neither an excuse nor a valid reason to loosen his sentence[2]. Mjanger described the incident as a "grisly, violent act" that could have ended in the victim's demise.
The sentencing took place on Tuesday, June 4, 2025, with Lewis Jr. pleading guilty to aiding and abetting first-degree aggravated robbery in January 2025. The plea agreement resulted in the dismissal of two additional charges.
The victim, who continues to grapple with the physical effects of the attack, expressed during the trial that he had felt like "prey" on the fateful night, believing he would inevitably meet his maker[2].
While investigators have unraveled compelling evidence to tie Lewis Jr. to the crime through surveillance footage and phone records, they now focus their attention on capturing the remaining co-defendants. Four other individuals are linked to the case, including the elder Lewis and at least two other unnamed co-conspirators[1].
The quest for justice is ongoing, as the remaining co-defendants are set to appear in court at a later date in 2025. As the dust settles, the specter of a gruesome home robbery casts a long and ominous shadow over a night of celebration turned fatal.
[1] Enrichment Data: Based on available information, the robbers targeted the victim shortly after he returned home from the Treasure Island Casino with his winnings. Two co-defendants have been identified, along with references to at least two other individuals involved in the case. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining co-defendants.
[2] Enrichment Data: The court documents reveal that the victim encountered one of the suspects, Philip William Davids Sr., at the casino earlier in the night. The incident occurred on December 10, 2023. Surveillance footage and phone records were instrumental in tying Lewis Jr. and the other suspects to the crime. The victim expressed regret and fear for his safety following the assault, prompting him to request anonymity.
- The violent robbery outside a Minneapolis resident's home was a chilling aftermath of a triumphant night at the Treasure Island Casino in Welch, Minnesota.
- Shawn Eric Lewis Jr., one of the culprits, was sentenced to almost five years in prison for his role in the brutal home robbery that resulted in a $38,000 theft.
- The Minneapolis man's involvement in the crime happened shortly after he returned home from a casino, a fact highlighted in the Washington County District Court.
- The robbery involved Lewis Jr.'s accomplices issuing gunpoint threats to the man's girlfriend and her niece, in addition to attacking the initial target.
- The general news landscape, including crime and justice, casino-and-gambling, and lotteries sections, as well as car-accidents and Minnesota crime news, have been dominated by this grisly, violent act.
- The remaining co-defendants, including at least two other unnamed co-conspirators, are still at large and are set to appear in court in 2025; their capture has become a priority for investigators.
- The incident has left the victim grappling with the physical effects of the attack and feeling vulnerable, leading him to request anonymity during the trial.
