SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A man convicted of killing a Capitol Casino security guard has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole by a Sacramento Superior Court judge. Dawan Pecot, 38, was found guilty of first-degree murder, along with additional charges related to using a firearm and committing robbery.
The incident occurred in August 2022 when Pecot attempted to rob the card room at Capitol Casino. Security guard Sean Bernal confronted Pecot and escorted him out of the establishment, but Pecot returned and threatened another employee with a gun. Bernal intervened again, attempting to use a taser, but Pecot fatally shot him in the neck.
Following the shooting, Pecot stole over $38,000 and fled the scene, but not before firing a gunshot at a casino employee. Police arrived and apprehended Pecot as he attempted to escape.
The sentencing comes after a trial in which Pecot was convicted of first-degree murder, second-degree robbery, and related firearm allegations. The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office stated that Pecot’s actions resulted in a tragic and unnecessary loss of life.
The judge’s decision to impose a life sentence without the possibility of parole reflects the severity of Pecot’s crimes and the lasting impact on the victim’s family and the community. The Capitol Casino shooting serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by security personnel and the serious consequences of violent criminal acts.