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(New Bedford, Massachusetts) Police have
identified a suspect in Thursday morning's shootings in a New Bedford gay bar
that sent three people to hospital.
Two people were shot and one cut with what some
witnesses said was a hatchet and others have described as a cutting tool.
Earlier reports indicated that three people had been shot
Police say they are looking for 18 year old Jacob
D. Robida.
New Bedford Police Capt. Richard Spirlet said
that attack is being treated as a hate crime.
A bartender, identified on Boston television
stations only as Philip, said that the suspect entered Puzzles bar after
midnight and ordered a drink. The bartender said the suspect was dressed in
black.
The suspect asked if he was in a gay bar. He finished
his first drink and ordered a second and then walked to the rear of the club
where two men were playing pool the bartender said.
Without warning the man then pulled a hatchet
from under his sweatshirt and struck one of the players in the head. When the
second pool player attempted to intervene the attacker pulled a handgun and
began firing.
There were about 18 people in the club at the
time. Some managed to get out the front door.
Two people were shot in the attack. They were airlifted to Boston
hospitals. The man suffering hatchet wounds was taken to a local hospital.
The shooter then walked out of the club moments
before police arrived. He left behind the hatchet, as well as a machete.
Capt. Spirlet did not say how
police identified Robida as the suspect.
Robida is described as a short,
stocky white man with dark hair.
He is believed to be driving a
green 1999 Pontiac Grand Am. Spirlet said he is
considered armed and dangerous, and if spotted should not be
approached.
"When a man walks into a
bar, asks if it's a gay bar and starts shooting, there
couldn't be any more glaringly obvious and enraging example
that we need uniform hate crimes law and that Congress has
stubbornly failed to act," said Human Rights Campaign
President Joe Solmonese.
"The Senate can change
this today. Whether the hate crime occurs in New Bedford,
Massachusetts, or Roanoke, Virginia, local law enforcement
deserve access to the same tools. The Local Law Enforcement
Enhancement Act would do this.
©365Gay.com 2006
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