BUFFALO, NY ( WKBW) Police cars swarmed the scene of a shoot out on West Chippewa and Pearl streets just after 2 o'clock Saturday morning. Police say a fight broke out between two groups of males and at least two people opened fire. After it was all said and done 20-year old Antonio Taylor of Buffalo was shot in the chest and 21-year old Charles Lockwood, also of Buffalo, was shot in the leg. Both men were taken to ECMC and are in stable condition.
The gun fight happened just yards away from Tom Cowan's bar, "We saw an individual on the ground bleeding from his abdomen area," said Cowan.
Over the past couple of months reported fights, stabbings and now shootings have bar owners scrambling to clean-up the entertainment zone's image. They say the bars are safe but the problem is people too young to get in the clubs loitering on the streets, bringing their neighborhood beefs with them.
"It's not like this is a gang infested neighborhood but these were two youth gangs that ran into each other at the wrong place at the wrong time and unfortunately it was in our backyard," said Jay Manno, General Manager of Soho Bar.
Buffalo resident Shawn Pew said, "It's problems that's caused from like, not from down here, just from like around your neighborhood. It's kids that come down here (and) see kids they have problems with."
Meanwhile, club owners are not about to have their investments ruined by a few bad apples. In addition to spending $45,000 on security for on and off duty cops, they are now planning to patrol the street themselves.
"Owners that are in it for the long haul, they have money invested. They plan on being down here and making a living down here for a while so they're actually spending the time to be out in front of their bars to police the crowds that get in and can't get in, and just a care and general interest for the street," said Manno.
So far police have arrested 21-year old Darius Austin. He was identified as one of the gunmen. Austin is facing numerous felony charges including two counts of first degree assault.
If you have any information call the Buffalo Police Confidential Tip Line at 716-847-2255. You can also leave a text message at that number.
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