25 shot in 11 seconds at rap concert in Ark.
Police: 3 others hurt in what may be gang-related melee at club
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Clubgoers screamed and scrambled for cover as dozens of gunshots rang out during a rap concert early Saturday in downtown Little Rock, leaving 28 people injured from an 11-second melee that police said may be gang-related.
Police Chief Kenton Buckner said investigators believe multiple people fired shots and that the shooting could be connected other violence in the city in recent days. All of the victims were expected to survive the shooting at the Power Ultra Lounge, and Buckner credited the work of first responders for that.
Twenty-five people between ages 16 to 35 suffered gunshot wounds, and three others had unrelated injuries. Two people were in critical condition, Buckner said.
Courtney Swanigan, 23, said that when the gunfire rang out, “I just closed my eyes, got down on the ground and put my hands onmy head.”
The crowd at the lounge was standing shoulder to shoulder, in Facebook live video posted by clubgoer Darryl Rankin. After a few sets, Tennessee rapper Finese 2Tymes stopped for a break.
“Whatcha all doing today?” someone asks in Rankin’s video — a few seconds before more than 24 shots ring out in rapid succession. Rankin’s screen goes dark as people scream and attend to the injured. He said one of his friends was hospitalized with a bullet “stuck in his spine.”
Mayor Mark Stodola said the city would shut down the club under a “criminal abatement” program. State regulators suspended the club’s liquor license Saturday and Stodola said the property’s manager was delivering an eviction notice.
“We know we’ve got to use a hammer, we’ve got to use a big hammer on the people who would do violence with guns and hurt people,” the mayor said at an afternoon news conference.
He said the city must do more to “keep guns out of the hands of the wrong people” and suggested that people refuse to patronize clubs that seem to promote violence. Material advertising the concert by Finese 2Tymes showed a man pointing a gun at a camera.
“A promotional video with a gun on the front cover inviting people to a concert should also be totally unacceptable in our community,” Stodola said.
The shooting capped a violent week in Arkansas’ largest city. Police had responded to a dozen drive-by shootings in nine days.
“This does appear to be a continuation of disputes from some of our local groups,” Buckner said. “You’ve seen some of the things playing out in our streets that has resulted in drive-by shootings.”
The shooting occurred about 2:30 a.m. about a mile east of the Capitol. State officials offered to help the city respond to an increasing number of incidents.
“Little Rock’s crime problem appears to be intensifying,” Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson said in a statement. “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 (Mark) 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.”
Calls to a number listed for Finese 2Tymes’ booking agent wasn’t returned Saturday, but a message was posted on the artist’s Facebook page offering thoughts and prayers for those injured: “THE VIOLENCE IS NOT FOR THE CLUB PEOPLE. WE ALL COME WITH 1 MOTIVE AT THE END OF THE DAY, AND THATS TO HAVE FUN.”
Glass from the Power Ultra Lounge littered the ground Saturday, along with empty drink cups.
“I’m sick of all the killing and I’m tired of all the shooting. The kids getting hurt,” said Raida Bunche, who was outside the club after hearing from a friend that her son had been inside. She found out later that hewas not hurt.
Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control officials suspended the club’s alcohol license and set a hearing for July 10 on three potential charges: disorderly conduct, allowing possession of weapons on the premises and “failure to be a good neighbor.”
The club’s license has been suspended 11 times for failing to pay taxes, and it has been cited seven times for 14 various violations, ABC Director of Enforcement Boyce Hamlet said.