A shooting at the State of Nevada Department of Administrative Hearings Division building in Las Vegas on Monday stemmed from a workers’ compensation claim 11 years earlier, an arrest report reveals. Michael Kogler, who was shot, previously worked with the accused shooter, 73-year-old Leonard Sullivan, at MGM Resorts. Kogler worked as a claims adjuster for MGM at the time.
According to the arrest report, Sullivan, who was dressed in a suit, wore a hat, and carried a cane, was seen by multiple people before the shooting, including a maintenance employee who asked if he needed help finding his way. He reportedly told the man, “no.” “The male walked slowly across the landing outside the office as if waiting for someone,” the arrest report said.
Moments later, Kogler passed Sullivan on the walkway, when the 73-year-old yelled out Kogler’s name. “Kogler turned around and said, ‘yes’ and the suspect shot him,” according to the arrest report. Sullivan reportedly uttered Kogler had been “missing over him for 10 years” after he shot him. Kogler was shot in the upper chest. He was taken to University Medical Center and is expected to be OK.
Police said Sullivan was subdued by security officers and arrested when police arrived at the office building on Rancho Drive near Sahara Avenue. A security guard reported that after being detained, Sullivan told him he planned to put the gun into his mouth, according to the report. Sullivan faces one charge of attempted murder with weapon. Police received a call the day before the shooting from from an acquaintance who said Sullivan had made suicidal remarks, the report said.
Kogler said he worked with Sullivan 10 years ago for MGM Mirage, where Kogler was a claims adjuster, according to the police report.. At the time, Sullivan said he tripped over a luggage cart at a Las Vegas hotel. Sullivan has filed numerous claims and had been to the hearing office on “several occasions” before Monday’s shooting, police said.