Johnstown, PA (WJAC) — UPDATE |
Cambria County District Attorney Greg Neugebauer gave more details regarding Saturday's fatal shooting outside the "Liquid Currency" bar in Cambria City in a press conference Thursday morning.
Neugebauer said a verbal dispute began inside the bar between Caleb Beppler, 21, and the bar owner that ended up outside on the street.
He went on to say that Beppler's cousin, Desmond Louder, then entered the altercation that briefly became physical him and the bar owner.
Neugebauer said Dirk Jones, 42, then presented a firearm and fired multiple shots, killing Beppler and injuring Louder.
He said Louder suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was taken to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center and that he is expected to make a full recovery.
WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE BELOW:
He also said there is a warrant out for Jones's arrest and that state and federal law enforcement officials are assisting the Johnstown Police Department in the investigation.
Neugebauer stated that, although a weapon has not yet been recovered, they have collected shell casings and video evidence.
He said this was not a random incident and that it was a result of the altercation, and that, at this time, there is no evidence of any type of relationship between Jones, Beppler and Louder.
He also said he believes Jones was at the bar that morning with an acquaintance or relative.
Neugebauer stated that, in order to protect law enforcement officials who are searching for Jones, they are not saying where they believe he might be.
He said he is unsure why there were people at the bar at 3:30 a.m. and that there is "a liquor control side of this" and would defer to the liquor control board for those type of questions.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Johnstown Police Department.
ORIGINAL |
Johnstown police have released the identity of the suspect in Saturday's fatal shooting outside the "Liquid Currency" bar in Cambria City.
Police have identified the man responsible for shooting and killing 21-year-old Caleb Beppler, and wounding another man, as 42-year-old Dirk Jones, of Philadelphia.
Authorities say surveillance video from outside the bar shows Beppler and the other victim engaged in an altercation with the bar owner just prior to the incident.
Police say the video shows the other victim "shove" the bar owner, at which time Beppler reportedly comes to his (the other man's) defense.
Investigators say the video then shows another man, later identified as Jones, exit the bar, point a handgun into the crowd and fire seven shots, striking both Beppler and the other victim.
Police say Jones then briefly goes back inside the establishment before fleeing the area towards Chestnut Street.
Authorities say nearby home surveillance video reportedly captured Jones speaking with an unknown woman about "hiding out."
Police say multiple witnesses were all able to identify Jones as the shooter and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
According to online court records, Jones faces various charges including murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and illegal firearms possession.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Johnstown Police Department.
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