Bar Shooting in Manchester

[Insurgent]

I haven't seen this story posted here yet, surprisingly enough. It will be interesting to see what becomes of this.

http://unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Gunfight+at+bar+leaves+one+wounded%2c+another+in+custody&articleId=858db55b-f7c2-4dd2-ba58-5f99976fee2b

Gunfight at bar leaves one wounded, another in custody

By KATHRYN MARCHOCKI
New Hampshire Union Leader Staff
12 hours, 47 minutes ago

MANCHESTER ? Bullets flew outside the Uptown Tavern early yesterday when a peeved patron began shooting at a doorman after being thrown out of the club. The shooter himself was shot twice by an armed customer who rushed to the bouncer's defense, a club owner and police said.

The shooter had missed doorman Chad Ryan after firing about four shots at him in the 1301 Elm St. club's parking lot when the alleged gunman was himself hit twice by the unidentified patron who returned fire about 12:45 a.m., said club co-owner Dave Somers.

The wounded suspect, identified by police as Eliezer Encarnacion, 26, and his companion -- both of whom were thrown out of the club moments earlier -- ran from the parking lot up Myrtle Street with an angry group of club patrons in pursuit.

"A bunch of people came pouring out of the Uptown yelling, 'Are you going to shoot at me?' and started chasing them," said Jessica Doty, 20, who lives next door.

Encarnacion, of 214 Bremer St., Apt. 2, limped nearly the length of the block -- splattering blood on porch stoops, the sidewalk and street -- before he collapsed near 83 Myrtle St. and the group caught up with him and his friend, witnesses said.

"There was a mob of people chasing after them," said one neighbor, who refused to give his name. After tracking down the pair, "they opened up their cell phones to see what had happened ... I thought they were going to beat him up, but they didn't. I think they saw the guy was hurt," the neighbor continued.

Witnesses said they saw a .45 caliber handgun lying on the street about 20 feet from the club's rear door. Police said they recovered the .45 caliber handgun allegedly used by Encarnacion along with the patron's handgun.

Encarnacion was in serious condition at Elliot Hospital where he underwent surgery for gunshot wounds to the right arm and right leg, police and a hospital spokesperson said. He was arrested at the hospital on three counts of attempted first-degree assault and possession of a firearm without a serial number.

His companion, Adrian Brown, 32, of 46 Dover St., Apt. 8, was arrested on a probation violation on Myrtle Street and placed on a 72-hour detention. He is being held without bail at Hillsborough County jail.

Both men are Virgin Islands natives and know each other, police said.

Neighbors said they heard from four to eight shots. Det. Lt. Nick Willard said "numerous shots" were fired, but would not say how many.

Encarnacion and Brown were drinking in the club's upstairs lounge for several hours when one of them grabbed a female patron's buttocks and they were asked to leave, said Somers, recounting events told him by his on-duty manager.

After the two were escorted from the bar, doorman Ryan remained outside when one of the men went to his vehicle and came back with a handgun, Somers said.

"He (Ryan) was standing outside the door making sure everything was cool. This guy decides to pull out a gun and shoot at him," he continued.

Encarnacion was about six to eight feet from Ryan when he fired the first shot, hitting the door frame, Willard said. When the second shot rang out, a male customer inside the bar realized what was happening and intervened, he continued.

"He feels the bouncer's life is in danger and he produces his own firearm and proceeds to return fire," said Willard, who credited the patron with saving the doorman and possibly even Brown from being shot.

Police withheld the patron's name while they continue their investigation, which will include an inquiry into whether his use of deadly force was justified.

Club employees were not aware the customer -- described as a regular patron -- was carrying a concealed weapon, Somers said.

"I'm not okaying it. But if he didn't, probably my doorman would be dead," Somers said.

Co-owner Roy Arsenault said nothing like this has ever happened in the 15 years the tavern has been in business. And he said, "We do not want this ever to happen again."

Arsenault, who arrived at the Uptown a few minutes after the shooting happened, said there were 30 to 40 people inside at the time.

He said the owners will do whatever Manchester police advise to ensure the safety of the club's customers and employees in the future. "Our whole concern is public safety," he said. "We're not going to have anybody get hurt."

[error]

As long as the Manchester police don't advise them to disarm themselves and let their disgruntled ex-patrons shoot at them with impunity.

[Quantrill]

Wow.  While it's bad that this happened, I think it's great that there was a "good guy" carrying concealed.  Things could've been a lot worse otherwise.  I hope the guy gets a key to the city or whatever instead of spending time in jail...

[Lloyd Danforth]

Why wasn't Encarnacion charged with attempted murder and endangering every life in the bar?

[Insurgent]

Why wasn't Encarnacion charged with attempted murder and endangering every life in the bar?

I'm guessing probably because he was outside the bar and shot only at the doorman.

Possession of a pistol with serial# filed off is an automatic felony, though from I have heard.

[Insurgent]

Wow.  While it's bad that this happened, I think it's great that there was a "good guy" carrying concealed.  Things could've been a lot worse otherwise.  I hope the guy gets a key to the city or whatever instead of spending time in jail...

Yes--it will be very interesting to see what happens to this guy...if the antis make an example out of him or if he becomes a hero.

[jaqeboy]

Wow.  While it's bad that this happened, I think it's great that there was a "good guy" carrying concealed.  Things could've been a lot worse otherwise.  I hope the guy gets a key to the city or whatever instead of spending time in jail...

Yes--it will be very interesting to see what happens to this guy...if the antis make an example out of him or if he becomes a hero.

Maybe we should create a Hero of the People medal and award it to him in a big ceremony - Offer him our thanks for saving a life, congratulations for exercizing his good judgement under pressure, support, if needed, in any legal challenges he may encounter, and a bear hug of love for being a good guy and hero of our community. Let's carry him aloft down the middle of Elm Street with banners and a marching band.

Then let the police take a stand against the people's support of the guy, if they will.

[Lloyd Danforth]

Why wasn't Encarnacion charged with attempted murder and endangering every life in the bar?

I'm guessing probably because he was outside the bar and shot only at the doorman.

Possession of a pistol with serial# filed off is an automatic felony, though from I have heard.

He shot at a guy from 8 feet.  He must have intended to kill him.  By definition the doorman was standing in front of a door with patrons behind it. 

[error]

He shot a guy from eight feet and MISSED. TWICE.

I'm thinking the thing to do would be to patronize the bar, and let the bar's owner know that we support the right of the people to defend him, his customers and his doorman from harm.

[41mag]

Witnesses said they saw a .45 caliber handgun lying on the street about 20 feet from the club's rear door. Police said they recovered the .45 caliber handgun allegedly used by Encarnacion along with the patron's handgun.

I hope this guy gets his handgun back soon.  I can't really see much of a reason to disarm a guy who just saved someone's life.

[Lloyd Danforth]

He shot a guy from eight feet and MISSED. TWICE.

Might be an ex cop

[burnthebeautiful]

He shot a guy from eight feet and MISSED. TWICE.

Might be an ex cop

Hah. Swedish cops are only required to practice their shooting once a year. I assume US cops aren't much better?

I think it's very cool that there was an armed good guy. The guy who got thrown out was obviously an asshole, grabbing a girls ass and then being willing to shoot people when he gets thrown out. Maybe this will be a wake-up call for him to work on his personality.

[error]

Maybe this will be a wake-up call for him to work on his personality.

Well, first he has to survive. He was shot twice, and is in hospital!

[Quantrill]

I hope this guy gets his handgun back soon.  I can't really see much of a reason to disarm a guy who just saved someone's life.

No kidding.  What if this guy is in a similar situation or the a-hole has family that comes after him?  I realize it's standard police procedure to take all guns when this happens, but they should figure out pretty damn quick this guy is a HERO and deserves his piece back.

[Insurgent]

He shot a guy from eight feet and MISSED. TWICE.

Might be an ex cop

Could be! I know that nationally, LEO's have a 92% miss rate. Back in Minneapolis their police dept claimed only an 89% miss rate so they were better than the national average!