A prominent St. Louis restaurateur faces multiple charges after allegedly shooting his girlfriend in the neck at Ameristar St. Charles Casino early Saturday morning.

Calvin Hsien Kuang Koong, 50, owner of the acclaimed Taiwanese restaurant Tai Ke Shabu Shabu, is charged with first-degree domestic assault, kidnapping, and armed criminal action.

The victim, a 27-year-old Malaysian national, remains in critical condition after emergency surgery. While alert, she is currently unable to speak, according to St. Charles police Lt. Susan Shields.

Casino security footage from around 2:30 a.m. shows the incident unfolding in a parking garage. The victim attempted to exit Koong's car but was pulled back inside. After being shot, she managed to flee toward the casino entrance before collapsing. A witness, Diane Lewis, reported helping the victim who was bleeding heavily from her neck.

Koong attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended by casino security after jumping over a concrete barrier. According to court documents, he immediately confessed, stating "I shot her."

During police questioning, Koong claimed he was intoxicated and said the shooting occurred after the victim grabbed the gun when he tried to place it on the console. The weapon was later recovered from the car's side door compartment.

Prosecutors secured a $500,000 cash-only bond, citing Koong's wealth and frequent travel to Taiwan as flight risk factors.

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