Man shot in stomach outside blues bar

David Kihara

Monday, Aug. 1, 2005 | 11:02 a.m.

A man was shot in the stomach early today outside the Sand Dollar blues nightclub, 3355 Spring Mountain Road, near Polaris Avenue.

The man, who was not identified, was reportedly shot by an acquaintance at about 5:30 a.m. after an argument inside the bar, according to Metro Police. The victim was taken to UMC and was in critical condition this morning, Metro spokesman Chris Jones said.

Metro arrested the suspect in connection with the shooting, but Jones had no detailed information on the charges. He said the suspect was "fairly intoxicated," which made interviewing him difficult for police.

The two men had reportedly been drinking in the bar before they began arguing, Jones said. The bartender kicked the two men out of the club, and a short time later customers inside the Sand Dollar heard a single gunshot, he said.

People rushed outside the Sand Dollar to investigate and found the victim on the ground with a gunshot wound to the stomach. Employees of the bar held the suspect until police arrived, Jones said.

Patrick McKnight, the owner of the Sand Dollar, said he received reports that one of the bartenders gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to the victim until the paramedics arrived.

"The bartender was a hero," McKnight said from the club this mornning.

The Sand Dollar is known for having live blues bands that play all night and into the morning. It was closed for several months but was recently reopened after being purchased by McKnight, a local businessman and lawyer.

The Sand Dollar previously had a reputation as a biker bar and has been the scene of previous shootings.

In June 2004, two Hells Angels motorcycle gang members and a woman were shot outside the club after a fight.