LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After eight people were shot outside of a nightclub in west Louisville, Metro Councilmembers are calling on authorities and the community to step up to make the city's streets safer.
Joseph Bowers, 40, was killed and another person remains hospitalized after last weekend's shooting outside the H2O Lounge.
Originally, authorities said the victim was an employee of the nightclub, but on Friday they clarified the person in the hospital is the employee. They remain in critical condition, police said.
Friday, Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins called on people who witnessed the mass shooting to come forward and help Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) in their investigation. She said police can't solve the case on their own, but also made it clear that residents in the community want more marked police vehicles patrolling the Russell neighborhood in the late night hours.
"It may not stop some of the violence, but definitely it would deter people to feel like they cannot get away with things," Hawkins said in pushing for a stronger police presence.
LMPD Lt. Mason Brown agreed, but also maintained the department is still suffering from an officer shortage.
"That's not an excuse, but it's the realizations we live in, right?" Brown added. "So there are a manpower shortage and we're working to navigate those, essentially, I'm trying to do more with less. And officers are up to it, they're doing it, but I've heard their concerns and we will increase patrols in this area."
LMPD's Homicide Unit is asking residents to be on the lookout for this SUV. Authorities believe it is connected to the shooting.
It is a light brown or gold color vehicle dated between 2007 and 2014. LMPD said it would have bullet holes in the front.
If you have any information that would help police, you are urged to contact the department at 502-574-LMPD (5673).
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.