Posted by Jason Rzucidlo - email
TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) -- More people are speaking out about a bar shootout last week that hit the national spotlight. This time its a group of local ministers who addressed the topic.
About 20 shots were fired at the Route 66 Bar last Thursday in the 400 block of North Westwood.
Many are saying the city needs to stay focused on catching the gunmen instead of closing the bar down.
"We're concerned about the shooting regarding the boldness of the youth," said Pastor Cedric Brock of the Mt. Nebo Church.
The group of ministers hope those five gunmen come see them and answer their prayers by turning themselves in.
"They're heading down a road that's going to lead them to prison or the cemetery," said Vincent Jenkins, a Route 66 D.J.
Jenkins worked at the bar on the night of this shooting. He said he turned the music down when he saw the bouncer try to kick one patron out who pulled out a bag of pot. "All his friends that was with him, they jumped on the bouncer. I grabbed one of the guys off and told him to get out," Jenkins said.
After hearing the first show, the DJ said: "I wasn't concerned or alarmed at all until I heard somebody say "gun," and I heard the first shot fired and I went out the front door."
He hid until police got there. Police say the cook took out his own weapon and fired as well. Jenkins said his co-worker's move may have spared a few lives.
"If somebody comes in shooting and the police aren't there, everybody was running, I don't know what more they could do, besides get shot," Jenkins said.
The ministers say all this gunfire needs to stop. They are calling for a better tracking system when it comes to guns and more national discussions.
"This is a very ugly picture for Toledo," Brock said. "Toledo is a great place to live, great place to raise a family."
So they're focusing on gun policy and the gunmen, not the bar. "If someone got shot at one of our churches, we couldn't shut the church down," Brock added.
Jenkins hopes they hear the calling. "I will sleep better knowing that they're off the streets," the DJ said.
