Blackjack dealer shot in casino, police say

An armed man strode into a downtown casino today and shot and killed a blackjack dealer after she tried to hide under a roulette table and in a restroom.

"A dealer came running in and said, 'My God, somebody's shooting,' " Golden Gate hotel-casino employee Pat Smith said.

A 37-year-old man was in custody after the 10:45 a.m. shooting.

Police said the shooting was prompted by a domestic dispute between the suspect and victim.

The victim was dealing cards when the suspect approached her and began yelling her name, police said. Witnesses said the woman, also 37, tried to dive under a roulette table, then hid in a women's restroom.

Witnesses said she was shot several times.

No one else was injured.

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