Concerns Rise After Deadly Shooting at Vibe Sports Bar in San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas – Residents who call the East Side home are expressing their frustration and fears following a tragic shooting that took place at Vibe Sports Bar late Sunday night. The shooting, which occurred shortly after 10 p.m. in the parking lot of the establishment located in the 2600 block of Rigsby Avenue, left two people dead and another injured. A 14-year-old boy and a 26-year-old man succumbed to their injuries, while a third victim was taken to the hospital in stable condition, according to local police.
A Scene of Chaos
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic. One man, who chose to remain anonymous, shared his harrowing experience. “Everybody just took off running. There was nothing I could do, so I just sat there by the truck,” he recounted. He had left the bar quickly when the gunfire erupted, only to return the following morning to find his truck with two flattened tires as a result of the shooting. “After that, I said I won’t come back here no more,” he said, emphasizing the impact of the incident on his sense of safety.
Alongside his truck, another vehicle lay abandoned in the parking lot, also sporting flat tires and bearing visible bullet holes in its windshield and side panels. Deanna McClure, a neighbor, painted a vivid picture of the fear that gripped her family that night. “Our neighbors across the street experienced two shots through their window,” she said, recounting how her family had to rush their children from their beds to the floor for safety. “Having to pull our children out of the bed to lay on the floor ‘til the shooting stops,” she described, expressing the anxiety and urgency of that moment.
A Growing Concern
McClure went on to express her increasing worry over the violence plaguing the area. “These incidents keep happening and they keep escalating,” she remarked. Many neighbors have been vocal about their concerns, consistently reaching out to the bar’s management, local police, and city officials, hoping to see some action taken to improve safety.
“Businesses should help neighborhoods, and I don’t see how people getting shot is helping the neighborhood,” McClure added, highlighting what many community members feel is an urgent need for change.
Police Response and Community Reaction
According to data from the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), the bar has been the site of numerous police calls since 2022, including more than a dozen related to gun violence. Complaints have also raised issues about disturbances, loud music, and fights in the vicinity.
In response to the recent violence, the office of City Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez issued a statement expressing sadness over the shooting. “Every shooting is tragic and disturbing. This one, down the street from my mother-in-law’s home, is equally upsetting,” he shared. McKee-Rodriguez reassured residents that efforts are ongoing to tackle gun violence, emphasizing local programs aimed at reducing violent crime.
Call to Action
While the city awaits legislative action from state lawmakers on gun reform, McKee-Rodriguez encouraged families to engage in conversations about conflict resolution and the risks associated with gun violence. His office is working closely with community resources to bring further attention to the ongoing safety concerns in the area.
A Mysterious Disappearance
In a separate incident, just about 12 hours before the shooting, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office reported a missing person, 63-year-old Stacey Dramiga, who had last been seen in the same area. Sheriff Javier Salazar later announced the discovery of a body believed to be Dramiga’s in a wooded area nearby. This discovery, now being treated as a homicide, adds another layer of distress to the community.
As residents grapple with the aftermath of these events, the desire for safety and peace is palpable. Many hope that change is on the horizon and that their voices will finally be heard to restore calm to their neighborhood.
