At 3:58 p.m. MST or 2:58 local, the Laughlin Grand Casino received notification of a possible terrorist threat. There was no explanation or description of the threat. The head of security was called to the security control center. He left the administrative meeting and walked quickly, arriving at 3:00 p.m. to assume responsibility for implementing their plan for enhanced security.
Faheem studied his watch. When the hands clicked exactly to 4:00 o'clock MST, Faheem activated both his and Radhwan's Communications Systems. He then said, "Let’s go. You take the guard on the left but wait until they turn on us."
The two young men ran up the access walk knocking people out of their way as they went. The agents caught some unusual motion in their peripheral vision and turned toward the commotion. It took a few seconds to recognize the threat. Then they sounded their radio alarms and pulled their weapons. Quick bursts from the recruits’ AK-47s ended any possible defense from the security guards. Although automatic locks on the casino doors were activated with the radio alarm, the doors were open because of the movement of people. The attackers simply pushed their way through the doors and were now in the casino proper.
They began shooting short bursts at anything that seemed to offer resistance. The casino was filled with mostly elderly people who had difficulty moving away. Radhwan emptied an entire clip toward the ceiling where catwalks were hidden by one-way mirrors. They reloaded on the run, destroying the casino as they went moved through. Randomly they threw hand grenades and repeatedly fired their weapons upwards.
The security agents who were walking above the casino fired their small arms at the attackers to no avail. Faheem could feel their bullets striking his vest and helmet but ignored them completely. His rage was now fully developed and he had no control whatsoever. An occasional bullet would pierce his unprotected flesh, but his brain only acknowledged a fleeting sensation. A large man was blocking his way - not intentionally - he was just unable to move fast enough. A long blast from the AK-47 essentially decapitated the man whose bulk Faheem fiercely pushed aside. An occasional security guard tried to stop them, but was no match for the two young men in full rage.
Radhwan took a hit directly in the thigh, fracturing his femur. He fell heavily to the floor. Ignoring the excruciating pain, Radhwan dragged himself up against one of the slot machines. Blood smeared the shiny metal box. Using the machine to stabilize himself on his left leg, Radhwan continued his assault not only on people, but also on the machines themselves, which were obviously the work of Satan.
The floor was slippery with spilled blood. Despite stumbling at times, Faheem continued to move forward, wrecking everything in his path. He had no goal other than letting his rage carry him forward. Alarms and sirens were everywhere but he heard nothing. The barrel of his AK-47 was glowing red but he continued to load and shoot. He threw the last of his hand grenades at a group of police officers who appeared by the door. He followed this with a long burst from his AK-47. While Faheem was reloading, another officer was able to return fire. The force of the bullets knocked Faheem to the ground but did not penetrate his vest. He finished reloading and was up shooting again before the officers could move in. When Faheem wasn’t shooting he was using the butt of his rifle to destroy the display on every machine he could.
Radhwan's immobility made him an easier target for the security forces. Standing there on one leg he continued to shoot until the barrel of his rifle glowed red. He too dispensed the last of his hand grenades. He was reaching for another clip when the combined firepower of the newly arrived police and the security agents brought him down.
Faheem had run out of ammunition for his AK-47 and was now limited to a 9 mm pistol. He was much more selective in choosing targets with just the pistol. It was a sniper on the catwalk that finally was able to bring Faheem down with a shot to the neck. Faheem crumpled next to the roulette wheel he was trying to tear down.
The lack of gunfire and grenade explosions allowed the sounds of many sirens and alarms to become more evident to those who had survived the onslaught. Terrified faces started appearing around the slot machines and from below gaming tables. The security forces began moving in on the bodies of Faheem and Radhwan. The entire attack had taken less than 15 minutes, but those 15 minutes had been horrific. Those who had survived were viewing a scene of destruction and death.
Security agents and police moved closer to the bodies of Faheem and Radhwan. They approached with great care and kept their weapons pointed at the bodies. Both of the assailants were riddled with bullet holes - any one of which should have been enough to bring the assailant down. The obvious death of the attackers allowed everyone to turn their attention to the wounded.
Timing mechanisms in the vest of both assailants had been synchronized when Faheem had activated them. The lining of plastic explosives ignited simultaneously and a huge explosion enveloped the casino. Remaining windows shattered, and any person near either of the assailants died instantly. The ensuing fire spread destruction quickly throughout the building. Those people evacuating the attached hotel were trapped in smoke and gridlock, and the fire soon became a consuming hell.