Brawl, shooting in Depot District sends two to hospital
Two men were taken to the hospital after an early morning shooting at a Lubbock nightclub.
Around 2:00 a.m. Friday Lubbock Police say Gabriel Ramirez, 23, was involved in an altercation inside Klusoz on the 1800 block of Buddy Holly Avenue. We're told he was struck by an object.
"We think it was probably a beer bottle. He was knocked unconscious. He was assaulted further by several subjects," said LPD Sgt. Jonathan Stewart.
Shortly after the fight, Pedro Alcorte, 31, left the club and was shot in the thigh one time. Police say the two victims did not know each other. It is still unclear if Alcorte was involved in the fight.
Police believe the suspect who fired the shot was directly outside of the club. "Apparently it was in the courtyard area," Stewart said.
Both victims were taken to University Medical Center. Alcorte has been released from the hospital, Ramirez is in serious condition.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is conducting its own investigation. They say if LPD asks for a summary suspension, the bar could be shut down for up to seven days. LPD says their investigation is ongoing. Right now they are unsure if they will ask for the suspension.
"If we do have repeated incidents at a club, TABC will intervene and help us out," Stewart said.
Turns out, this is not the first time Klusoz has been investigated by TABC. Back in October, the agency asked for the bar's license to be canceled. TABC also filed charges against the bar and two of its employees for selling to an intoxicated person. They say that action led to the death of 19-year-old teen, Samantha Martinez.
Martinez was killed in the early hours on August 14th when a car driven by Dr. David Gonzalez-Gibler, 31, flipped over the guardrail of Loop 289 near Quaker. The front-seat passenger, Dawnyelle Rios, 18, was ejected and suffered serious injuries.
Gonzalez-Gibler had a blood alcohol content of almost twice the legal limit. TABC says they uncovered that the two minors and Gonzalez-Gibler were at Klusoz before the accident.
The hearings on those charges are still pending and could take up to two years.
As for the area being dangerous, Stewart says no. But he says people should always be alert.
"We suggest people remain cautious and aware of their surroundings wherever they are out at night," Stewart said.
Lubbock Police are still looking for the suspects involved in the fight and shooting. If you have any information about this incident, you are asked to call Crime Line at 806-741-1000.
Copyright 2012 KCBD. All rights reserved.