BUFFALO, N.Y. — The deadly shooting of a 21-year-old man inside a Buffalo nightclub this past weekend was caught on camera, according to Councilmember Mitch Nowakowski, whose district includes Club Marcella.
The Buffalo Police Department said three people were shot inside the Michigan Avenue Club in the city's Cobblestone District Sunday just after 2:30 a.m.
The 21-year-old was pronounced dead at the club. Two others were injured and taken to local hospitals according to a Buffalo Police spokesperson.
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said that police believe the shooting stemmed from some type of argument and was targeted in nature.
During a press conference Monday afternoon, the Commissioner added that the homicide investigation was "making good progress" and that officers had already spoken to a member of the Erie County District Attorney's Office.
Gramaglia also confirmed what Fillmore District Councilmember Mitch Nowakowski told 2 On Your Side Monday morning, that video has played a crucial role.
"The entire incident was caught on footage, so Club Marcella is handing over all of their footage to BPD for the investigation," Nowakowski said.
The Commissioner added that investigators have scoured clips and already have a "pretty good" idea of how the gunman was able to retrieve a weapon from outside the club and bring it in, despite quite a bit of security.
Gramaglia characterized the security at the club as more than a lot of other places in Buffalo.
"If there are any lapses in security, any points of entry that will be the subject of conversation outside of this [homicide] investigation, and how to make the establishment more safe," Gramaglia said.
Nowakowski said he wants to ensure the club's safety plan is adequate but said the club already has armed security. This was the second shooting in two weeks at Club Marcella. A security guard was shot in the parking lot during an incident last month.
When asked about whether the club could be shut down following the two violent incidents, Nowakowski said a determination has not been made yet. Gramaglia added that the club owners have been very cooperative and that a decision like that would be left to the owner unless there was a pattern of neglect.
"When we close clubs it’s because they’re not compliant not heeding the warnings that we’re giving them. They’re working in cooperation with us and I don’t see that in this situation," Gramaglia said.
"If it needs to be temporarily closed down, you know, for the safety of everyone, but I'm not seeing or hearing that right now for BPD," Nowakowski added.
One of the club owners spoke briefly with 2 On Your Side Monday morning over the phone and said he is shocked at what happened.
UPDATE: Late Monday evening the club shared the following statement on Facebook.
"I'm saddened but I'm determined to make the Cobblestone District a safe and welcoming district for everybody," Nowakowski said.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call or text the Buffalo Police Department's Confidential TIPCALL Line at (716) 847-2255.
The New York State Liquor Authority told 2 On Your Side via email that it's requested records from the BPD regarding this incident but said the premises were already under investigation.
A public information specialist said in a statement in part:
"...we are working closely with the Buffalo Police Department to obtain all necessary reports regarding this incident. The premises were already under investigation due to previous incidents. The SLA’s investigation into this matter is ongoing and at its conclusion, the SLA will take all appropriate actions.”