On Sunday night, a man opened fire at Alas Locas Bar in Cleveland, Texas, resulting in one fatality and five injuries.
The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office reported that the shooter, who has not been identified yet, was at the bar drinking alone at first, then returned around 2:30 AM after a brief absence. Chaos erupted shortly after.
The suspect fired at least 20 shots, hitting a man who was at the bar with his wife. The other victims, including two others, were left in peril, according to LCSO Captain David Myers.
Security footage captured the individual escaping in a white van after the shooting. Reportedly, the vehicle collided with a maroon car as it sped away.
Authorities are investigating the crime scene, with assistance from rangers of the Texas Department of Public Safety. The motive behind the shooting still remains unclear.
Myers noted that prior to the incident, the shooter ordered a beer but did not engage in conversation with anyone, about an hour before the attack. After paying cash, he returned outside armed with a handgun, possibly a .40 or .45 caliber.
The shooter then approached the front of the bar and fired again through the door, as confirmed by law enforcement.
Among the injured victims were four men and one woman, with at least one in critical condition.
The sound of sirens and ambulances surprised local residents. One local, Nina, expressed her disbelief, noting it’s not common for trouble to occur at their local bar, particularly describing her typical weekend experiences there.
This shooting marks the second mass shooting at a Houston-area bar this year, following an incident in March that claimed six lives.
