Update: 25 Shot, 3 Others Injured at Downtown LR Music Venue
Arkansasmatters.com
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Twenty-five people have been confirmed shot and three others injured leaving the scene of a shooting in downtown Little Rock at Power Ultra Lounge.
At this point, two of the victims are considered critical. All others suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Eleven victims were reported to be receiving treatment at UAMS at one point and most had been released. Mark Lowman with Baptist Health tells us that three victims were taken to its North Little Rock hospital and six to its Little Rock hospital. Three have been treated and released. There are three gunshot victims at CHI St. Vincent. According to police, the youngest victim is 16-years-old.
Police got the initial call at 2:28 a.m. to 220 West 6th, according to the dispatch log. Officers say it appears to have been a dispute at a concert that started between rival groups involved in recent violence in Little Rock. The shooting occurred during a performance by a group from Memphis, Finese 2 Tymes.
In cell phone video posted from inside the club, dozens of shots can be heard as patrons run for the exits.
Saturday afternoon, no arrests had been made. Little Rock Police Chief Kenton Buckner said preliminary investigations indicate that “multiple individuals” were responsible for the shooting. He added that officials believe the incident was linked to on-going disputes between local gangs.
Buckner said off-duty police officers were stationed at the event earlier in the evening, patrolling the parking lot and assisting with security. During that time, police stopped several individuals who were openly carrying weapons, including one member of the headliner’s entourage, he said.
Other individuals carrying weapons may have been able to get into the nightclub from a different door, Buckner added.
Late Saturday morning an Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control official told us that the ABC has temporarily suspended the liquor permit at Power Ultra Lounge pending a formal hearing. During Saturday’s news conference, Mayor Mark Stodola and City Manager Bruce Moore said the club would be shut down.
Chaos in the Club
Frankie Bledsaw said he drove from Stoddard, Arkansas, to Little Rock with his brother and a few friends for the concert.
He said he didn’t know what sparked the dispute, but shortly after the concert began shots rang out.
“Everything was good, that’s why I don’t understand,” he said. “I mean, the crowd was in a good mood. Just senseless really. Come out to have a good time and this what happens.”
Bledsaw said his first instinct was to run but as the gunfire continued and the club erupted into chaos, he hit the ground.
“Took about 10 minutes to get up out of there,” he said, later adding that it was a “blessing” that no one died. He was able to walk away with minor bruises and scratches.
Uday Akkaraju said he was asleep in his apartment across the street when he was startled awake by loud gunshots followed by screams. He went to his window to investigate.
“I could see one person bleeding very badly and there was no ambulance yet so they were actually trying to get him to the hospital in a private car,” he said. “They actually drove off quite fast.”
Week of Violence
The mayor said the city’s swift actions against the club should serve as a warning to other venues that the city will be “extra vigilant” in policing gun activity on the streets of Little Rock.
Stodola also announced a new crackdown on felons and parolees caught carrying guns on the streets.
“We’ve got to take these repeat gun offenders off the streets,” he said. “We believe this is a very small group of repeat offenders that are bent on violent crime.”
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson tweeted his prayers to the victims of the shooting and said Little Rock’s crime rate “appears to be intensifying.”
“Every few days it seems a high profile shooting dominates the news, culminating in this morning’s event,” he said. “We are still gathering facts, but it is clear that we need to have a comprehensive enforcement strategy in place that helps take the violent threats off the streets.”
Reaction Rolls In
“I am truly saddened by what happened this morning. I am praying for the victims. I am very confident that LRPD will make multiple arrests in this incident. This will not be tolerated in our City. I addition, we are making multiple arrests in the incidents from the 10 days,” said City Manager Bruce Moore in a statement.
“We are sadden[ed] by this shooting. We, as a community, must work together to effectively address the increasing number of violent crimes. As part of this effort, we must discuss ways and means of getting guns off the streets. Having laws that allow people to carry guns any and everywhere must be revisited,” – Sherman Tate, Board Chair, Urban League of Arkansas.
“First and foremost, my thoughts are with the victims and their families this morning, and the First Lady and I are praying for their quick recovery. I also want to thank the first responders who no doubt saved lives with their quick action. Little Rock’s crime problem appears to be intensifying. Every few days it seems a high profile shooting dominates the news, culminating with this morning’s event. I have spoken this morning with Mayor Stodola and I have offered both my heartfelt concern over this senseless violent tragedy and state assets as needed to address the continued threat of violence in our community. We are still gathering facts, but it is clear that we need to have a comprehensive enforcement strategy in place that helps take the violent threats off the streets. The state will participate and bring assets to the table to support local law enforcement efforts,” – Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all 17 victims who were injured overnight at the Power Ultra Lounge in Little Rock, and I am grateful for the first responders who saved multiple lives,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Today, we all woke to the tragic news that this senseless act of violence occurred right in the heart of our capital city. As state and community leaders, it is our responsibility to encourage a civil, peaceful discourse and that violence can never be the solution to solve our differences. As the chief law enforcement officer, I stand ready to assist the Little Rock Police Department as they continue their investigation and we work together to reduce crime in our communities,” – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge.
“Cathy and I send our prayers to the victims of this tragic violence. I continue to stand and support law enforcement to fight this ongoing reckless violence in our capital city,” – U.S. Senator John Boozman.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this morning’s senseless act of violence. I am confident in the ability of our seasoned police officers in Little Rock to bring the suspect or suspects to justice, and I have reached out to Little Rock Police Chief Kenton Buckner to offer any assistance he may need from my office. I also thank our first responders, doctors, and hospital staff for their treatment of those wounded. Members of our community are strong and resilient, and it’s when we work together that we can find solutions to overcome this kind of violence,” – Rep. French Hill, 2nd District Congressman.
“Our thoughts and well-wishes go out to those injured and affected by this senseless act. We wish for their speedy recoveries. We want to commend the Little Rock Police Department, first responders, and medical staff for their quick actions. Today, we help those in need, while also acknowledging that there will be more conversations to be had in the coming days,” – Gabe Holmstrom, Executive Director, Downtown Little Rock Partnership
(NBC.com writers Chelsea Bailey, Ali Gostanian, and Saphora Smith contributed to this report)