A 22-year-old California casino kitchen worker entered a not guilty plea to attempted murder charges after allegedly stabbing five coworkers during a violent rampage that sent bloodied victims onto the gaming floor as horrified patrons watched.

Court Appearance and Mental Health Evaluation

Joseph Naugle appeared in Placer County court Wednesday wearing an orange T-shirt and striped pants, where his attorney requested a psychiatric evaluation to determine if he is mentally competent to stand trial. The judge granted the request and scheduled his next court appearance for September 2. The evaluation will assess whether Naugle understands the charges against him and can assist in his own defense.

Naugle faces multiple counts of attempted murder stemming from the August 19 attack at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, California. The Roseville resident, who graduated from a local high school in 2022, worked as a kitchen employee at Dos Coyotes restaurant inside the casino complex.

Attack Unfolds on Casino Floor

The violent incident erupted on a Wednesday evening when Naugle allegedly attacked his fellow kitchen workers with a knife in the restaurant’s food preparation area. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as injured employees fled from the kitchen onto the main casino floor, where gamblers were playing slots and table games. Emergency calls brought police to the scene within minutes.

Law enforcement officers took Naugle into custody immediately upon arrival. He was still wearing his kitchen apron when arrested. Five victims suffered stab wounds during the attack. One person required hospital transport for treatment of injuries described as non-life-threatening, while paramedics treated four others at the scene. The hospitalized victim received emergency care and was released several hours later.

Investigation Continues

Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the alleged attack. Investigators continue examining what triggered the workplace violence at the popular Northern California gaming destination. The Thunder Valley Casino Resort, located about 30 miles northeast of Sacramento, attracts thousands of daily visitors.

The case highlights growing concerns about workplace safety and mental health screening in the hospitality industry. Prosecutors will await the psychiatric evaluation results before proceeding with the criminal case. If found competent to stand trial, Naugle could face significant prison time on the attempted murder charges. The next hearing will address preliminary matters and potentially set a timeline for the competency evaluation.