Amarillo police give update on nightclub shooting that killed 1, injured 8

Yahoo

27-01-2025

A shooting early Sunday morning at Chesney's nightclub on South Polk Street in Amarillo left one person dead and eight others injured, the Amarillo Police Department announced Monday.
At approximately 2:05 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26, authorities received multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire in the 700 block of South Polk Street. Polk Street has long been a hub of nightlife in Amarillo, known for its vibrant bars and entertainment venues. Witnesses described a vehicle approaching the entrance of the open Chesney's nightclub before an unidentified individual got out of the vehicle and opened fire into the crowd with an AR-style pistol. After discharging approximately 15 rounds, the suspect got back into the vehicle and fled the scene.
"A vehicle approached the entrance of Chesney's nightclub, and an individual exited, opening fire into the crowd," said Amarillo Police Department Public Information Officer Corporal Carmel Ogden said at a news conference held Monday morning. "Thanks to the bravery and persistence of a bystander, Randall County Sheriff's deputies were able to locate and stop the vehicle, leading to the apprehension of three suspects."
A bystander pursued the suspect's vehicle and relayed its direction of travel to emergency services. This swift action enabled Randall County Sheriff's Office deputies to locate and stop the vehicle near Hillside and Bell streets. Three suspects were apprehended and taken to the Amarillo Police Department's Homicide Division for questioning.
The shooter has been identified as 23-year-old Robert Kenney Knox, and the driver as 21-year-old Nahryah Hilesta Ines Hayes, both residents of Amarillo. A third passenger, 22-year-old Britt Brinson Cave, was also arrested. Knox and Hayes face charges of murder and eight counts of deadly conduct and discharge of a firearm. They are currently being held at the Potter County Detention Center. Cave was charged with public intoxication and is being held at the Randall County Detention Center.
The shooting resulted in nine people with gunshot wounds. Six individuals were taken to local hospitals by paramedics, while three others arrived to hospitals by private vehicles. Tragically, 25-year-old John Love Louima, who was on a work visa from Haiti, later died from his injuries. Louima's family has been notified. The other victims are receiving medical treatment and are in various stages of recovery.
"In our investigation, we've determined that the firearm used was an AR-style platform, kind of a pistol, with a magazine capacity of approximately 28 rounds," said Lieutenant James Clements of the Homicide Unit. According to Clements, the weapon involved is not illegal.
Clements also addressed the wounded's medical status. While he could not give specifics, he said their conditions were not expected to worsen. "Right now, from what we understand, we're not going to release any information on the victims themselves for the privacy of the families," he said. "However, due to medical intervention, we feel that there are no further issues with digressing in their conditions."
Police recovered the firearm, shell casings, and other evidence from the scene. Preliminary investigations suggest the shooting may be linked to an earlier altercation inside Chesney's nightclub. Detectives are working to reconstruct the events leading up to the incident and determine the motive behind the attack.
Chief Martin Birkenfeld emphasized the gravity of the incident and the community's response. "The motive here is inexcusable. It's hate-fueled anger. It's not more complicated than that — it's stupid. Ugly, impulsive violence and something that we should not accept as a community. Something that we will not accept as law enforcement," Birkenfeld stated. "We've got to do better, and I don't have all the answers for that. The best we can do from our perspective is to hold people accountable for gun ownership."
Birkenfeld continued, "We're going to continue to do that. Over the last few years, we've put a lot of resources into combating violent crime in Amarillo. We've increased the number of detectives in the homicide unit, and we are building our real-time crime center so we can get information to officers faster. We're going to do everything we can."
He added, "Amarillo is still a safe place overall, but there are definitely places where you can put yourself in danger, and some of that has to do with the time of day and the location. We know that bars tend to get a little bit crazy as the night goes on. This incident started inside a bar, and it actually ended up with people leaving and coming back to do violence outside on the street."
Birkenfeld further commented on the oversight of establishments like Chesney's, where the shooting occurred outside: "Certainly looking at any business that has an alcohol service permit. We look at that, we report that to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). We've done that in the past with Chesney's because of the problems there. Two years ago, we filed a protest on the renewal of their license, and we got to hear back from TABC on that, but there certainly is the potential for consequences."
"We're going to look at every avenue because in the end, we want businesses to thrive and survive and do well but not at the cost of public safety," Birkenfeld said. "It's easy to want to blame a place, but we're placing the blame squarely on the person who pulled the trigger and shot those people."
Lt. Clements provided additional details about the shooting location and circumstances. "The shooting occurred right at the entrance of Chesney's nightclub on South Polk Street, a location that typically sees a lot of activity, especially during late hours. The suspects targeted the crowd outside, turning what should have been a safe environment into a scene of violence. We are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to gain a comprehensive understanding of the events that transpired."
Clements also addressed the response efforts, stating, "Our first responders acted with incredible speed and professionalism. The coordinated efforts between police, fire departments, and medical teams were instrumental in saving lives and minimizing further casualties. We are proud of how our team handled this crisis under such intense pressure."
Regarding the involvement of the third suspect, Cave, Clements clarified, "Britt Brinson Cave was found to have no role in the planning or execution of the shooting. He was merely present in the vehicle at the time of the incident and did not conspire or participate in any way."
The City of Amarillo issued a statement later Sunday through Mayor Cole Stanley, expressing deep sorrow over the tragic events. 'We mourn the loss of life and pray for healing for those injured. This is a devastating moment for our community, but I know Amarillo's strength and resilience will help us support one another through it,' Stanley said. He also commended the swift actions of law enforcement and the community, stating, 'I am incredibly grateful to our law enforcement officers, first responders, and the citizens whose actions helped bring resolution to this situation. Their efforts reflect the values of unity and care that make Amarillo a community I am proud to call home.'
Mayor Stanley added, 'We are working closely with the police department to ensure that our nightlife venues are safe and that such incidents do not recur. Community safety is our top priority, and we will continue to invest in measures that protect our residents and visitors.'
In addition to addressing the immediate aftermath, Chief Birkenfeld outlined future initiatives aimed at preventing similar incidents. "We are expanding our real-time crime center to enhance our ability to respond swiftly to emergencies and analyze crime patterns more effectively. Additionally, we are increasing community outreach programs to foster better relationships between law enforcement and residents, ensuring that our strategies are both effective and community-driven."
Lt. Clements also highlighted ongoing efforts to support the victims and their families. "We have set up a dedicated support line for victims and their loved ones, providing access to counseling and resources to help them navigate this difficult time. Our priority is not only to bring justice, but also to support our community members affected by this tragedy."
The Amarillo Police Department's Homicide Unit is urging community members to come forward with any information or video footage related to the shooting. Assistance from the public is considered crucial in advancing the investigation.
Residents with any relevant information are encouraged to contact the Amarillo Police Department at 806-378-9468.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo police give update on nightclub shooting