Little Rock nightclub shooting

Around 2:30 am on July 1, 2017, a shootout occurred at the Power Ultra Lounge nightclub in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. Twenty-eight people were injured and one hospitalized. No suspects have been identified.

Little Rock nightclub shooting
LocationLittle Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
DateJuly 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)
c. 2:30am (CST)
Attack type
Mass shooting, shootout
WeaponsFirearm
Injured28+ (25 by gunfire; 2 seriously)

Incident

On July 1, 2017 a mass shooting occurred at the Power Ultra Lounge in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas, around 2:30 AM CST.[1] The shootout lasted eleven seconds and started about thirty seconds into a break from a concert by Finese2Tymes, a rapper from Memphis, Tennessee.[2][3] An eyewitness stated that the attack happened during the performance and was unexpected, with a large number of individuals laying on the floor in an attempt to avoid the bullets. He also stated that, "People didn't know whether to run or stay down cause you couldn't see where he was. You could hear the gun shots. As soon as you saw people trying to run you see them run right back in."[4]

A video from inside the club during the attack, which included audio of at least 24 rounds being fired in about 11 seconds, was posted by a friend of a victim to Facebook.[5]

According to the Little Rock Police Department, 25 people were shot and three were hurt in other ways after a dispute that started in the club. Those shot were between the ages 16 and 35, with three others injured potentially from fleeing the scene.[1] There were no fatalities related to the attack.[6]

Investigation

No suspects in the shooting have been arrested.[7] Police reported that they believed gang members were present at the shooting, and that there was a potentially gang aspect to the shooting.[6] The Police Chief told reporters that "We do not believe this was an act of terror. Some sort of dispute ensued."[4] Investigators also believe that multiple people fired during the event, instead of one single perpetrator.[5]

Finese2Tymes, 25 (real name Ricky Hampton), and another man were arrested by USMS, FBI and ATF agents in Birmingham, Alabama, before a concert and held for extradition to Arkansas, where they have outstanding warrants. Two handguns and an AK-47 were seized from the car he was in.

Aftermath

The Mayor of Little Rock, Mark Stodola, said he plans to shut down Power Ultra Lounge as a result of the shooting. The venue, which is only zoned as a restaurant and not permitted to host events, also had its alcohol permit suspended by Alcoholic Beverage Control, which said it had been cited for 14 violations since 2012.[8]

On July 11, members of the Pulaski County Quorum Court rejected a proposal by Justice Judy Green to encourage the county's cities to place a 180-day moratorium on performers and concerts which incite or promote violence.[9][10] Instead, it was amended to encourage "civil discourse among residents" and "positive actions of empowerment and improvement", before passing unanimously. Opponents, including County Attorney Adam Fogleman and City Attorney Tom Carpenter, decried the original's loose definitions and potential to unconstitutionally limit free speech. Green admitted she knew it would not pass, but had wanted to draw media attention to her cause.[11]

See also

References
  1. "Little Rock nightclub shooting: US Marshals arrest rapper, second suspect on unrelated charges in Alabama". Fox News. 2017-07-02. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  2. "Arkansas nightclub shooting: 'multiple shooters' involved in gunfight that leaves 28 injured at Little Rock concert". The Independent. 1 July 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  3. "Police: 25 shot at Little Rock nightclub". USA Today. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  4. Sheena Jones; Deanna Hackney. "28 people hurt in Arkansas club shooting, police say". CNN. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  5. "Little Rock nightclub shooting that injured 28 may be gang-related, police say". The Denver Post. 2017-07-01. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  6. "Little Rock nightclub shooting fuels concerns about jump in big-city violence". Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  7. "Police: Finese 2Tymes a person of interest in Little Rock mass shooting". KATV. 2017-07-02. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
  8. "Little Rock mayor vows to shut down club following shooting". KATV. July 2017. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
  9. Aziza Muse (July 11, 2017). "Ban violence-fueling concerts, official urges; proposal follows gunfire at Little Rock nightclub". Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
  10. Judy Green (July 11, 2017). "Item 17-I-56" (PDF). Pulaski County Quorum Court.
  11. Brandon Mulder (July 12, 2017). "Pulaski County push to ban violence-fueling concerts finds little support; free speech overrules proposal". Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
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