Nine shot, one dead at Amarillo nightclub shooting

At approximately 2:05 a.m. on Sunday, January 26, the Amarillo Police Department received numerous 911 calls reporting a shooting outside of Bodega’s Nightclub, aka Chesney’s Whiskey Saloon, located at 715 S. Polk Street in downtown Amarillo.   Eyewitness said that a vehicle approached the entrance of the establishment, and one man exited the vehicle, opening fire into a large crowd with a rifle. After discharging multiple rounds, the suspect re-entered the vehicle and fled the scene.

A citizen who witnessed the incident followed the suspect’s vehicle and called 911 to relay the direction of travel. Thanks to the bravery and persistence of the witness, Randall County Sheriff’s deputies were able to locate and stop the vehicle near Hillside and Bell Street. Three suspects were apprehended and taken to the Amarillo Police Department’s Homicide Division for further questioning.

Officials reported that nine individuals in the area of the nightclub sustained gunshot wounds. On the scene, Amarillo police officers provided medical treatment to several of those victims.  Amarillo firefighters also arrived on the scene along with paramedics. Six people were transported to two different local hospitals for medical care. Three additional wounded arrived by private vehicles.

One of the victims, 25-year-old John Love Louima, died at the hospital due to multiple gunshot injuries. Mr. Louima’s next of kin has been notified.  The remaining gunshot victims are in various stages of medical treatment. 

The shooter has been identified as Robert Kenney Knox, 23, of Amarillo. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Nahryah Hilesta Ines Hayes, 21, also of Amarillo. An additional passenger in the back seat was identified as Britt Brinson Cave, 22.

Knox and Hayes were both charged with murder and eight counts of deadly conduct/discharge of a firearm, and they have been booked into the Potter County Detention Center. Cave was charged with public intoxication and booked into the Randall County Detention Center. Officers and deputies recovered a firearm, shell casings, and other evidence likely connected to the shooting.
 
Evidence indicates this incident stems from an earlier altercation inside the nightclub. The suspects left the bar but returned in the vehicle. 

The Amarillo Police Department’s Homicide Unit is seeking assistance from the community. If anyone present during the shooting has video footage or any relevant information, you are asked to please contact (806) 378-9468.

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(Source: Amarillo Police Department)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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