Man shot in face drives self to casino

LEMOORE, Calif. -- A man is recovering after being shot in the face at Santa Rosa Rancheria in Kings County Friday night.

The victim said he was sitting in a parked car with another man at the Rancheria when he heard a loud bang and then severe pain in his face. That's when authorities said the victim drove himself and the other man to the main entrance of Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino to seek help for his injuries.

The sheriff's office said because casino staff did not know if the other man was a suspect or armed when the two showed up they implemented their active shooter mode out of caution.

When deputies arrived, they spoke with the shooting victim who told them he wasn't sure who shot him or how it happened.

That man was treated by casino staff before being life-flighted to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, where he is now with moderate, non-life threatening, injuries to his face. "Well, it's going to be a long night for my detectives. They're gonna scoure that area, try to find a crime scene. They got people to interview-- I have detectives in Fresno interviewing the victim who's, what I've been told, is only moderately cooperative," said Dave Putnam, Kings County Assistant Sheriff.

The other man who was in the car was detained as he was leaving the casino a short time later, and he's also being interviewed to determine his involvement in this shooting

The casino is also helping sheriff's detectives by providing them with surveillance video.

Anyone with information or who witnessed this shooting is asked to call the Kings County Sheriff's Office.