Surveillance video shows start of deadly shooting outside Des Moines nightclub

DES MOINES, Wash. — Newly-released surveillance video shows the altercation that sparked a shootout in Des Moines that left three people dead.

The fight started in the parking lot of a local nightclub just before 2a.m. Sunday but it quickly moved onto Pacific Highway.

>> 3 killed, 3 injured in shooting outside Des Moines sports bar

This is a very different version of events than we had yesterday. In fact, Des Moines police say they didn’t have a clear view of what happened themselves until they looked at the surveillance video.

It shows the altercation happened outside in the parking not in the nightclub itself, as they first thought.

But the owners say those initial reports have already hurt their fledgling business.

The surveillance video clearly shows the altercation that turned deadly outside La Familia Sports Pub and Lounge.

A gaggle of people was talking loudly, then this.

“We were actually closed 25 minutes before the violence started,” said John Hart.

Hart, who owns La Familia with Frank Gittens and two others, says they were inside, cleaning as the fighting erupted.

“We noticed there was some pushing and shoving out here in the parking lot, came out here with security,” said Hart. “Security stopped the fisticuffs and started moving people off of our property and guiding everyone to go home.”

“Watching the video was a lot more revealing to me,” said Des Moines Detective Sergeant Scott Oak.

He says it was then that they realized the entire incident happened outside the bar. Once the fight was broken up, the crowd dispersed, some north to the Red Lion, others south to the Walgreens.

That’s when police believe at least two people opened fire on the crowd.

“There was a lot of shots fired,” Sgt. Oak said. “I don’t have the exact amount. Some witnesses said 20 to 25.”

He says one man died in the parking lot. A woman died on Pacific Highway. Another man was scooped up by passersby who took him to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Two other men and another woman were also shot. They have so far survived.

“From La Familia, we want to put out our heart felt condolences to the families of the victims of that tragic night,” said Gittens.

Neither he nor his partners, he says, condone the violence.

“But we do the best we can,” said Gittens. “Since we’ve been here, we’ve cleaned this area up, in our space, a lot.”

Des Moines police say they do not have any suspects.

You can report what you may know about the incident anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound and could receive up to a $3,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and a charge of the person(s) responsible. You can also download free P3 Tips to your smart phone.

The King County Medical Examiner has identified one of the victims as 26-year-old Ezra Taylor.

Anyone who knows anything about what happened here is asked give Des Moines police a call.

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