THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 21, 1994 TAG: 9411210081
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
During gunfights that erupted early Sunday at nightclubs in Portsmouth and Newport News, one man was killed, six people were injured and a police officer narrowly escaped injury when he was grazed by a bullet.
The unrelated incidents sent hundreds of patrons fleeing for their lives.
One of the officers who responded to the scene in Portsmouth discovered that a bullet had grazed his uniform, leaving its mark on his necktie and on a leather ammunition pouch on his belt.
At least 40 shots were fired when a dispute broke out about 2:30 a.m. between two groups outside a dance at the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union Hall in Newport News. Four people were shot and Gabriel Leonard Cooper, 18, of Hampton was killed.
Police spokesman Bill Roth said Cooper was among those involved in the dispute. But the other three people who were hit by stray bullets were innocent bystanders.
``They were three people who had just walked out of the union hall, leaving the dance,'' Roth said. ``They were not part of the fight.'' The shooting occurred in the union hall parking lot at Union Street and Warwick Boulevard.
When police arrived, they found the four injured men on the pavement. ``A large number of shell casings'' was found around them, Roth said.
It was unclear what sparked the dispute, Roth said.
The three injured men, whose names were not released, were treated at Riverside Regional Medical Center for minor injuries.
Roth said police have identified suspects in the shootings, but are not issuing arrest warrants until investigators talk with more witnesses.
Meanwhile, in Portsmouth, shooting erupted during a series of fights at the Global Affairs nightclub in the 300 block of Williamsburg Ave.
Cpl. G.A. Brown, a police spokesman, said officers were first called to the club on a report of fights between patrons inside the club and in a parking lot.
While officers were inside questioning the club manager about the fights, ``shots were fired both inside and outside the club,'' Brown said.
Additional fights erupted and more police officers were summoned.
``As the patrons sought to flee, a 23-year-old man was shot in his buttocks as he reached the front door,'' Brown said, and ``a 22-year-old man was shot in both legs after exiting.''
Both injured men were treated at hospitals, then released.
Police found a 6-shot revolver on the ground outside. They believe it was used in the shootings.
A short time after the shootings, a 20-year-old man who suffered a gunshot wound to his left hand and had apparently fled the scene checked himself in at Portsmouth General Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.
Police did not release the names of the victims.
Two men were arrested at the scene, although Brown said the men are not suspected of being involved in the altercations that led to the shootings.
Global Affairs leases its space for private parties, but it was unclear who had leased the club for Saturday night.
KEYWORDS: MURDER SHOOTING NIGHTCLUB BAR by CNB