WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A man is behind bars with no bond allowed, accused of shooting into a popular Winston-Salem bar early Thursday morning.
Police said one customer was killed and another was injured.
Investigators said the victims were just bystanders, not intended targets.
Officers got a call to Burke Street Pub around 1 a.m. That’s where they found 30-year-old Kane Bowen dead. Another woman, 22 years old, was also shot but expected to be OK.
William Drake faces several charges in the shooting, including general murder. Police said he didn’t know either victim.
Investigators said Drake was shooting at another customer in the bar, who he knew.
The pub sits behind and across from several businesses. The business released a statement on its Facebook page, saying, "On behalf of all of us at Burke St. Pub, we are absolutely devastated, shocked, and in disbelief by the tragic loss of a member of our community by this senseless act of violence. Our hearts break for the victim's family and friends as they navigate this unimaginable time. May we all find strength and comfort in one another during the difficult days ahead."
Paul Chrysson has owned a business on Burke Street for decades. In recent years, he said he’s noticed more violence in Winston-Salem.
“I’d say in the last 10 to 15 years is when it started to go down, and more recently, in the last two or three years, picked up even more,” Chrysson said.
Since Friday, Winston-Salem police said they’ve responded to at least eight shootings. Two of those shootings were deadly.
Chrysson said something needs to change.
“I think what we need is more police on patrol, either on foot or bicycle in the area, and I think it says we’re short at Winston-Salem Police Department. They’re gonna have to start paying them more to get some good quality people,” he said.
The city is hosting a public forum Thursday night as it looks to hire a new police chief – someone who will be tasked with dealing with these crimes.
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at St. John CME Church.
