Victim: 'Big deal of jealousy' fueled shooting
SEATTLE -- Bail has been set at $2 million each for the two suspects in the shooting that killed a performer and wounded two other men at the Chop Suey nightclub early Sunday.
Carlos Bernardez, 18, Roger A. Labranche, 25, have been taken into custody for investigation of assault at the Capitol Hill club.
All three victims were men in their 20s. One of the victims, 24-year-old Joseph Ryan who went by "29-E," died at a nearby hospital.
Hip hop artist Avery Turner, who goes by "1st Black Prez," is battling life-threatening, police said. The third victim, James Jones, has been treated and released.
Chop Suey's online calendar shows that patrons had gathered Saturday night to see music acts Young Soprano, Fatal Lucciauno, No Clue, Dividenz and Anonimous.
According to court documents, a dispute erupted during the performance and the gunman opened fire near the side door of the club.
Jones, a hip hop performer who goes by the stage name "Trama," was one of the three shot. Court documents state Jones is a central part of the investigation as he is believed to have been the intended target.
"It wasn't gang-related," Jones said. "I think it was a big deal of jealousy. When jealousy begets stupidity, that's basically what happens."
According to the document of probable cause, Jones told police he and Labranche had an ongoing dispute.
Jones said earlier in the night he saw Lebranche talking with Bernardez outside the club. The contention: Bernardez was hired to open fire with a Colt .45 handgun.
But Lebranche's defense attorney said his client did not mastermind any plan, and crucial evidence from the nightclub will prove that.
"He believes the videotapes will show that he didn't even speak to this person, naturally did not ask him to shoot anybody," said attorney John Crowley.
However, police said it appears that Labranche did fire shots inside the club directly at Jones, hitting him in the leg. Police also said Bernandez confessed that he was hired to carry out the shootings, but had no idea who he might've hit before he ran off.
The investigation is ongoing.
Carlos Bernardez, 18, Roger A. Labranche, 25, have been taken into custody for investigation of assault at the Capitol Hill club.
All three victims were men in their 20s. One of the victims, 24-year-old Joseph Ryan who went by "29-E," died at a nearby hospital.
Hip hop artist Avery Turner, who goes by "1st Black Prez," is battling life-threatening, police said. The third victim, James Jones, has been treated and released.
Chop Suey's online calendar shows that patrons had gathered Saturday night to see music acts Young Soprano, Fatal Lucciauno, No Clue, Dividenz and Anonimous.
According to court documents, a dispute erupted during the performance and the gunman opened fire near the side door of the club.
Jones, a hip hop performer who goes by the stage name "Trama," was one of the three shot. Court documents state Jones is a central part of the investigation as he is believed to have been the intended target.
"It wasn't gang-related," Jones said. "I think it was a big deal of jealousy. When jealousy begets stupidity, that's basically what happens."
According to the document of probable cause, Jones told police he and Labranche had an ongoing dispute.
Jones said earlier in the night he saw Lebranche talking with Bernardez outside the club. The contention: Bernardez was hired to open fire with a Colt .45 handgun.
But Lebranche's defense attorney said his client did not mastermind any plan, and crucial evidence from the nightclub will prove that.
"He believes the videotapes will show that he didn't even speak to this person, naturally did not ask him to shoot anybody," said attorney John Crowley.
However, police said it appears that Labranche did fire shots inside the club directly at Jones, hitting him in the leg. Police also said Bernandez confessed that he was hired to carry out the shootings, but had no idea who he might've hit before he ran off.
The investigation is ongoing.