Police are looking for a man who opened fire in the parking lot of Toucan’s Tiki Lounge
Police are searching for a man who opened fire in the parking lot of a Palm Springs gay bar, injuring two people in the early hours of Sunday, March 24.
A fight broke out in Toucan’s Tiki Lounge, which spilled outside. Shots were then fired, and two people were struck in the lower half of their bodies, one outside the club and one inside.
Cellphone footage shows the aftermath, as patrons assist one of the injured and are told repeatedly to stay down. The victims were taken to the hospital, where both were declared to be in stable condition.
There is an active shooter at Toucans in Palm Springs
— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) March 24, 2019
#Toucans in Palm Springs was wild AF tonight ? pic.twitter.com/DJyMTqy9W4
— MICHELANGELO (@MichelXAngelo) March 24, 2019
The suspect fled the scene, and is described as a Hispanic male in his 20s or 30s, wearing a black hat, black hooded sweatshirt, and black sweatpants, with tattoos on his neck. Police told the Desert Sun there were also several witnesses to the shooting who fled the scene.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact the Palm Springs Police Department at 760-778-8411, or Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867, where information can be given anonymously.
The shooting comes as the city has taken action against another nightclub across town, Zelda’s Nightclub, for failing to have operational security cameras when multiple violent crimes, including a fatal shooting, occurred over the past two years in the establishment’s parking lot. Police said the lack of working cameras impeded efforts to investigate the crimes.
See also:
The Major Problem With Gay Bars in 2018 Could Be Because Of Our Increased Acceptance?
