One killed, two injured in shooting at Alcoa Highway nightclub
Knoxville police have released the identities of the men shot Sunday morning at a nightclub on Alcoa Highway, the scene of another shooting less than a month ago.
Officers responded to El Pulpo Loco, located at 2909 Alcoa Highway, at around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, due to reports of a shooting with multiple victims, a police department spokesperson said in a press release.
Pablo Roberto Nunez Acosta, 32, of Louisville, Tennessee, died at the scene, while Anderson Sanchez, 21, of Knoxville, remains in critical condition at University of Tennessee Medical Center. A third man, Joel Canales, 28, of Knoxville, sustained a gunshot wound that was not life-threatening.
Officers found Acosta and Sanchez in the parking lot, the spokesperson said. Acosta was pronounced dead at the scene, while Sanchez was taken to the hospital, the release stated. While officers were processing the scene, Canales showed up at an area hospital with a gunshot wound, was treated and released.
Possible witnesses were located on scene and taken for questioning. It is believed that the shooting occurred following an altercation that started inside the club and continued in the parking lot.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing at this time. Anyone with information that could assist on the investigation is urged to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165 or online at www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible to receive a cash reward.
Shooting at same business in September
This was the second shooting at the nightclub recently, with an early Sunday morning shooting in late September.
Officers had responded to the club on Sept. 25 for a reported shooting, finding a gunshot victim who was taken to UT Medical Center, a release stated. Officers were told that a security guard at the club had fired multiple shots at a car he believed was being driven by the shooter.
While officers were still on scene at El Pulpo Loco in September, a second gunshot victim arrived at UT Medical Center in a personal vehicle, along with several potential suspects from the shooting. They were all detained and questioned by investigators.
Two occupants of that car from the incident in September were subsequently arrested after two handguns, one of which was reported as stolen, and a large amount of marijuana were found in the car. An 18-year-old and a 19-year-old were charged with possessing a firearm with intent to go armed, theft of a firearm and drug possession. The 18-year-old was subsequently charged with attempted second-degree murder and employing a firearm during a dangerous felony.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville shooting at Alcoa Highway bar El Pulpo Loco leaves one dead
