Crime
Nightclub Shooting in Amarillo Leaves One Dead, Several Injured, Three Suspects in Custody
Authorities recovered a firearm, multiple shell casings, and additional evidence believed to be connected to the shooting.
Amarillo, TX – The Amarillo Police Department is investigating a deadly nightclub shooting that occurred in the early hours of January 26, 2025.
Authorities received multiple 911 calls at approximately 2:05 a.m., reporting gunfire in the 700 block of South Polk Street.
According to eyewitness accounts, a vehicle approached the entrance of a nightclub, where an unidentified individual exited and opened fire into a large crowd with a rifle.
After discharging multiple rounds, the suspect returned to the vehicle and fled the scene.
A vigilant citizen who witnessed the shooting followed the suspect’s vehicle and provided real-time location updates to 911 dispatchers.
Thanks to the individual’s efforts, Randall County Sheriff’s deputies were able to locate and intercept the suspect’s vehicle near Hillside Road and Bell Street.
Three individuals were taken into custody and transported to the Amarillo Police Department’s Homicide Division for further questioning.
Investigators confirmed that a total of nine individuals sustained gunshot wounds during the attack.
Responding Amarillo police officers immediately rendered life-saving aid, and emergency personnel from Amarillo Fire Department and AMR paramedics provided additional medical assistance.
Six victims were transported to two local hospitals, while three others arrived at medical facilities via private transportation.
Tragically, one victim, identified as 25-year-old John Love Louima, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
His next of kin have been notified. The remaining victims are currently receiving treatment for varying degrees of injuries.
The suspected gunman has been identified as Robert Kenney Knox, 23, of Amarillo. The driver of the getaway vehicle was identified as Nahryah Hilesta Ines Hayes, 21, also of Amarillo. A third suspect, a passenger in the vehicle, was identified as Britt Brinson Cave, 22.
Knox and Hayes have been charged with:
- Murder
- Eight counts of deadly conduct/discharge of a firearm
They have been booked into the Potter County Detention Center.
Cave has been charged with public intoxication and is being held at the Randall County Detention Center.
Authorities recovered a firearm, multiple shell casings, and additional evidence believed to be connected to the shooting.
Preliminary findings suggest that the shooting stemmed from an earlier altercation inside the nightclub. Investigators believe the suspects left the premises following the dispute but later returned and carried out the attack.
The Amarillo Police Department’s Homicide Unit continues to investigate and urges anyone with information, including video footage from the scene, to come forward. Witnesses can contact detectives at 806-378-9468.
Authorities are working diligently to piece together the events leading up to the shooting and ensure justice is served.
MOBILE, AL – A man charged in connection with a fatal shooting outside an Alabama bar is claiming self-defense, as new details emerged during a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.
On February 1, officers from the Mobile Police Department responded to a reported shooting at the Alabama Bar & Lounge.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered that Hunter Lins and another man had been shot following an altercation outside the establishment.
Lins was transported to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The second victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, survived.
Matthew Sanders was subsequently arrested and charged with murder and first-degree assault in connection with the incident.
During Tuesday’s preliminary hearing, Sanders’ attorney, Jeff Deen, argued that his client acted in self-defense after being attacked. Deen claimed that surveillance footage supports this assertion, showing Sanders being “jumped on” before the shooting.
However, Lins’ stepsister, Kelsie Harvell, refuted that claim, asserting that the shooting was not an act of self-defense and could have been entirely avoided.
A homicide detective testified that multiple witnesses reported an argument between Sanders and Lins inside the bar near the pool table.
- A bartender allegedly instructed only Sanders to leave the bar.
- Lins followed him outside, reportedly to apologize.
- Once outside, a physical altercation ensued between Sanders and Lins, with Lins’ brother, known as “Rusty,” also getting involved.
- According to Rusty, he attempted to break up the fight, but Sanders retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and opened fire.
Deen countered this narrative, claiming that Sanders was attacked by the two brothers and was defending himself.
“He got jumped on at a bar. He left when he was told to, but then a crowd followed him outside and continued the fight,” Deen said. “I’m sorry someone got shot, but he brought it on himself.”
During testimony, the detective noted that Lins had a beer bottle during the altercation but discarded it before being shot, leaving him unarmed and defenseless.
Harvell questioned Sanders’ justification for self-defense, stating, “If he was able to open his car door to grab a gun and shoot two people, why wasn’t he able to get in the car and leave?”
Additionally, the District Attorney’s Office revealed that after the shooting, Sanders allegedly posted a video on Snapchat waving a gun and saying, “I told y’all to leave me alone… and to quit playing with me.”
Investigators later confirmed that the firearm seen in the video was the same weapon recovered at the crime scene.
During the hearing, Sanders’ defense requested a bond reduction, which was denied by the judge. He remains incarcerated at Metro Jail with a $250,000 bond.
The case is now moving to a grand jury for further review.