Camden attack: Man beaten to death in London casino

Suspect arrested after staff reportedly lock attacker in premises

The Met Police have launched a murder investigation after the death of a man at a Camden casino on 28 July, 2020. (Google Street View)

A man in his 50s has been beaten to death in a casino in Camden, north London.

The Metropolitan Police launched a murder investigation following the attack at City Slots in Camden High Street at around 10pm on Tuesday.

Officers and paramedics were called to reports of a serious assault at the casino and found a man in his 50s with serious injuries.

Despite efforts to save him, the victim was declared dead at the scene.

His next of kin have been informed.

A man in his 20s was detained at the venue on suspicion of murder, after a staff member at the casino reportedly locked him inside the building once customers had fled.

Witness Joshua Lyons, 19, told the Evening Standard: "Everyone was hysterical and quite shaken up. About 10 customers were inside when it happened.

“The owner locked the doors. But that seemed to agitate [the attacker] more and he carried on the attack.”

After watching the attacker being arrested, Mr Lyons said he saw the victim lying motionless on the floor inside the building.

Police sergeant Alvaro Aracena-Fuentes described the crime as “shocking and brutal”. He confirmed the attack was “not gang-related”, according to the Camden New Journal.

The killing comes in London’s deadliest month of the year so far, with 15 murders recorded in July.

This figure is up from the 12 murders that were reported in both March and April, according to crime data on Scotland Yard's website.

There have been 74 murders in the capital in 2020.

Any witnesses are asked to call 101 ref 7949/28jul or contact Crimestoppers if you wish to be anonymous.