An armed man was killed by police after allegedly opening fire outside a popular LGBTQ+ bar in North Carolina early on Wednesday, 15 July, local authorities say.
The shooting happened shortly before 2am outside Shakey’s, a gay dive bar in downtown Asheville.
According to local news station WLOS, staff called emergency services after a man who had earlier been removed from the venue over concerning behaviour returned to the car park carrying a firearm.
Customers Told to Shelter Inside Bar
In a statement shared through Instagram Stories, Shakey’s said emergency dispatchers instructed staff to lock the doors and keep customers inside while police made their way to the venue.
When Asheville police officers arrived, they allegedly found the man firing a gun in the car park.
Officers returned fire and struck the suspect. Emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.
Police confirmed that no officers, bar employees or members of the public were injured during the incident.
Witness Describes Panic Inside Shakey’s
Patrons inside the bar described a frightening scene as bullets were fired towards the building.
Customer Taylor Pace told WLOS he watched the man raise his weapon and begin shooting at the venue.
“He literally pulls the gun up and starts shooting at the building,” Pace said. “You hear them hitting the bricks… Everyone’s screaming. Panic, chaos, and fight or flight set in.”
Shakey’s later praised its staff, customers and emergency responders for their actions during the shooting.
“Watching people care for each other in the middle of such a terrifying situation is something we’ll never forget,” the bar wrote.
It added that, because of the quick response from those involved, “every customer and every employee inside Shakey’s made it home safely.”
Authorities Investigate Police Shooting
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has opened an investigation into the police shooting.
Authorities have not yet publicly identified the man who was killed.
Interim Asheville Police Chief Jackie Stepp said investigators had found “no evidence at this time” indicating that the shooting was motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ prejudice or another hate-related motive.
The investigation remains ongoing.
