DALLAS — Two people died early Wednesday morning after a shooting outside of a Deep Ellum bar, police confirmed to WFAA.
Dallas police said a man and woman were shot around 1 a.m. at the Bitter End bar, located at 2826 Elm Street. Police on the scene told WFAA that both the man and woman were taken to the hospital, where they died.
Police said investigators learned that one of the victims was on the patio of the bar when he was approached by a suspect "who fired multiple shots," hitting him, according to a news release.
One of the fired rounds went through a window at the bar and hit a woman who was standing inside, police said. A third person was hit by a bullet fragment and had non-life-threatening injuries.
After the shooting, the suspect reportedly ran north on Elm Street. Police described him as about six feet tall, with a thin build, and he was last seen wearing a black hoodie with a design or lettering on the front, shorts, and a ski mask.
In an update Wednesday evening, police identified the two victims who died as Rickey Gossett, 37, and Danielle Jones, 30.
Police are still investigating the shooting.
Glass company repairman Leo Papanickolou knew he would put in some work at the Bitter End nightclub Wednesday afternoon. He got a call from the bar managers for repairs.
"Shot out several windows," Papanickolaou said. "So we're just kind of getting it all cleaned up and get it all boarded up."
Papanickolaou told WFAA incidents like this kept him busy last year, especially in Deep Ellum.
"I do a lot of glass work down here, so. But you know, just, you know, try to get it all, you know, get it back to normal again," said Papanickolaou.
Stephanie Keller Hudiburg serves as the executive director for the Deep Ellum Foundation. Deep Ellum is one of the hottest destinations in all of Texas that attracts people of all ages. There are events and nightlife activities almost every day of the week.
One of the missions of the Deep Ellum Foundation is to keep the area safe. They not only started a safety program that includes multiple security cameras throughout Deep Ellum, but the foundation has also partnered with Dallas Police for the safety program.
"Our safety program is 100% driven by our community," Hudiburg said. "A community that cares about the safety and serving everyone that wants to come to Deep Ellum."
Hudiburg and her staff don't want gun violence to define Deep Ellum. But the foundation is determined to win the battle of making sure the Texas destination remains one of the go-to spots for entertainment in the state.
"We're a community that wants to welcome all comers. That's important. That's baked into our DNA to welcome everyone, regardless of background. But we don't welcome violence. We're a place for people to come and have unique experiences in the arts and dining and music and culture," Hudiburg said. "Deep Ellum is 150 different experiences for 150 different people."
This is the second time in roughly a month that a bystander was shot in Deep Ellum.
On Feb. 12, musician Cameron Cooper was working security on Super Bowl Sunday at the Free Man when he was shot in the stomach and leg.
Two men got into an altercation outside of the bar which led to gunfire. Security video shows bullets whizzing through the front window which hit Cooper, who also performs regularly at the bar.
Right now, DPD hasn't released anything official regarding an update on the case.
Cooper spent 10 days in the hospital and underwent several surgeries. He's now is now recovering and working to get back on his feet.
"I can't imagine what those two families are going through--what everybody involved is going through. Thinking about that night, for me, it's not like I go about my day right after. It's constant," Cooper said. "It's just a lot to go through."
Cooper is a father of five and is hoping to perform again soon.
"Still recovering and still healing. Just taking it one step at a time," he said.
"The only solution to all of this is people making the right choices--to not take matters into your own hands and put everybody in danger."
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