BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A night out at Bethlehem’s 540 Democratic Club turned violent just before 4 a.m. this Saturday.
Police say an argument inside the club quickly escalated into a fight with shots fired in the parking lot.
While arriving officers secured the scene and began interviewing witnesses, an adult male arrived at St. Luke’s Hospital–Fountain Hill with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
Investigators determined an argument began inside an establishment on the block and escalated into a physical fight in the parking lot.
During the altercation, police say a male and female suspect both assaulted multiple individuals. The man, later identified as Andre Cantave, was allegedly observed striking several people before retrieving a firearm.
Investigators determined Cantave suffered a gunshot wound when he unintentionally shot himself.
Cantave is charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, persons not to possess firearms and related offenses.
The female suspect, identified by police as Shatika Schaffer, is charged with simple assault.
After the incident, police say Schaffer drove Cantave to St. Luke’s Hospital in Fountain Hill, where she dropped him off and then left the scene. Surveillance video later helped investigators piece together what happened.
We went to the Democratic Club for comment, but no one there would speak with us or let us inside.
There’s no word yet from officials on when both of them are due in court.