MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Cellphone video obtained by Local 10 News captured the moments that deputies say a fight escalated into a double fatal shooting at a bar in southwest Miami-Dade Sunday night.
According to authorities, the shooting occurred just after 8:45 p.m. at the Glades Club bar in the area of Southwest 184th Avenue and 256th Street, near the county’s Redlands area.
5 p.m. report:
Deputies said a physical altercation occurred inside the bar between Paul Edward Koch, 62, of Miami, and 28-year-old Eduardo “Eddie” Perez, a bartender at Glades Club, before Koch was escorted out of the establishment.
“When we were playing, apparently a fight broke out and the owner of the place kicked out the guys that were fighting,” band member Carlos Quijano said.
Noon report:
According to his arrest report, Koch returned to the bar with a handgun that he retrieved from his vehicle and was confronted by Perez, who once again asked him to leave.
Deputies said Koch fired at Perez multiple times, killing him.
He then went to the patio/outdoor bar area where police said he fatally shot a patron.
The patron was identified by loved ones as Marc Hess, who they said was an avid drummer and was at the bar enjoying the live music.
Fernandez said 100 patrons scattered after hearing the gunshots.
“Everybody went to the floor, others ran,” he said. “In a matter of 30 to 40 seconds, everybody was gone.”
“I understand the people that got shot were not even involved in the argument,” Quijano said.
“There was supposedly a misunderstanding over a spilled drink,” said Nicole Terrell, a friend of Hess.
“It’s unbelievable,” she added. “When we were told last night, it was almost like am I dreaming? It’s just really unfortunate. It hits really close to home, especially when you just see them hours prior and life is precious.”
Authorities said a third person was running out of the bar when he accidentally shot himself in the leg with his own gun.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials confirmed that they transported one person to a hospital as a trauma alert.
According to the arrest report, both victims who were killed in the initial shootings were not armed and did not provoke Koch.
According to the report, Koch faces two counts of second-degree murder.
As of Monday afternoon, Koch was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center where his bond had yet to be set.