One man was killed Wednesday in an officer-involved shooting outside Shakey’s, a gay dive bar in downtown Asheville, North Carolina.
The bar issued a statement regarding the incident the next morning, saying bar staff asked patrons to leave early in the evening due to behavioral issues. Barr said a man was later found in the parking lot with a gun.
The bar called 911, locked its doors and followed dispatchers’ instructions on how to keep bar patrons safe until officers arrived. Those protocols included keeping guests away from windows and staying low to the ground.
Shakey’s said shots were fired outside the store. When Asheville Police Department officers arrived, shots were fired. Police said the man died from his injuries.
“Thanks to everyone’s quick actions, cooperation, and care for each other, all of our customers and employees within Shakey’s were able to return home safely. We are extremely grateful,” Shakey’s said on its Instagram page. They thanked the Asheville Police Department, emergency dispatchers, EMS and all first responders on the scene.
On Thursday, North Carolina Bureau of Investigation spokesman Chad Flowers said the suspect involved in the shooting was Arturo Castillo Palomar.
The Washington Blade has reached out to the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation for comment on whether the incident could be considered a hate crime. They said the matter is currently under investigation and the findings will be turned over to the district attorney for review.
Authorities investigate officer-involved shooting outside Asheville gay bar This post first appeared in the Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.
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