ALLENTOWN, Pa. – An Allentown man is dead and two other victims are injured after a shooting at a bar in Allentown early Friday morning.
Officials say it happened inside Big Woody’s around 1:30 a.m., and it all likely began with a fight.
“I’ve been crying all morning,” Luis Diaz said.
Diaz says he had to come out to the scene where his friend was killed just hours earlier.
“I just wanted to see if there was a family member there so I can just hug them and tell them I care,” he said.
Police say the shooting, which leaves three victims, appears to have started with a fight inside the sports bar and restaurant.
“It’s not worth being out there at nighttime,” Diaz said. “You know, lives are being taken. Families are being destroyed and it’s just not worth it.”
Two of the victims are expected to survive, officials say. 34 year old David Gibbs, from Allentown, died about an hour after police arrived.
“He was a legend in this town,” Diaz said. “He was doing music, you know he was a great-hearted person, a great father, good friend of mine.”
Diaz says he recently ran into his friend.
“At Musikfest,” he said. “And I seen his picture yesterday on Facebook. And I’m like hey. Then I wake up to this and I’ve been crying all morning.”
The wife of one of the other two victims says her husband is still in the hospital. She condemns the gun violence and says she hopes there will be stricter restrictions in the future.
Mike Nester | for WFMZ-TV
Police said the investigation is active and ongoing, and there is no danger to the community at this time.
Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan commented on the shooting: “While the investigation remains ongoing, from what we have learned so far, there doesn’t appear to be any risk to the public connected to this incident.”
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk addressed the shooting in a statement posted on Instagram: “I am aware of the tragic incident overnight, and my heart is with the families affected, especially during the holiday season. I urge our community to act with wisdom and compassion and to reject violence. This was an isolated incident, now under investigation by the Allentown Police Department, and it does not define Allentown.”
Those we spoke with around the shopping center say many knew and loved Gibbs, and have been hit hard by the news.
“It hurts,” Diaz said. “It hit home. And that’s why I was here.”
The Allentown Police, Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, and the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office are investigating.
The District Attorney says there does not appear to be any risk to the public at this time.
Right now, officials aren’t answering whether there are any charges or arrests made. This is still an active investigation.
The Allentown Police, Lehigh County DA’s Office, Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, and the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office are investigating.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Allentown Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 610-437-7721 or the Allentown Police Department Complaint Desk at 610-437-7753.
Additionally, Anonymous text tips may be sent through the Tip411 available on the Allentown Police Department Facebook page or the Allentown Police Department website.