Suspects Arrested After Shooting at Amarillo Nightclub

In a shocking turn of events on a quiet Amarillo night, a nightclub shooting left the community reeling with one dead and eight others wounded.

Key Takeaways

A shooting at Bodega’s nightclub in Amarillo, Texas, left one person dead and eight injured.
The incident occurred early Sunday morning around 2:00 a.m. outside the nightclub on S. Polk Street.
The suspected gunman returned after an altercation inside, opening fire with a rifle into the crowd.
Robert Kenney Knox and two others were arrested; investigations continue.
Police are continuing to investigate the incident.

Deadly Nightclub Shooting

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Amarillo, Texas, witnessed a tragic incident outside the nightclub “Bodega’s” on S. Polk Street. Around 2:00 a.m., suspects forebodingly returned to the scene, after an initial confrontation inside the establishment, and a gunman unleashed gunfire with a rifle into a crowd. The devastation left nine individuals struck by bullets, resulting in the tragic death of a 25-year-old man. The local, an individual named John Love Louima, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.

According to eyewitness accounts, the shooting was a reckless act of violence, causing panic and chaos. As the crime scene unfolded, law enforcement responded to numerous 911 calls reporting a shooting. Six victims required immediate hospital transport, while others sought medical help through private vehicles.

Amarillo Police say 25-year-old John Love Louima is dead, and nine others were injured in a shooting at a nightclub in the 700 block of South Polk Street. Investigators say the shooter, 23-year-old Robert Kenney Knox, of Amarillo,https://t.co/rSX9tVO6Dz

— News Channel3 Now (@newschannel3now) January 26, 2025

Suspects in Custody

The Amarillo Police quickly acted, apprehending three individuals suspected of involvement in the violent incident. A vigilant civilian who followed the suspects’ fleeing car significantly aided law enforcement, allowing police to intercept them. Arrested individuals included Robert Kenney Knox, aged 23, who notably played a major role and was thus charged with murder and deadly conduct/discharge of a firearm. Two co-suspects, 21-year-old Nahryah Hilesta Ines Hayes and 22-year-old Britt Brinson Cave, were also detained. Police records indicate that Hayes faced the same charges as Knox, while Cave was held for public intoxication.

Following Knox’s restlessness inside the nightclub and subsequent return with a rifle that caused the shooting, the cause for the violence most likely stemmed from the earlier altercation. A firearm, shell casings, and critical evidence were retrieved from the crime scene, aiding the ongoing investigation. The Amarillo Police Department appealed to the community for any video footage or additional information that could help ascertain the complete details of the incident.

Community Concerns Over Violence

This distressing event underscores a growing concern over public safety in social spaces, where patrons expect a night of entertainment yet are confronted with the specter of violence. While police continue their investigation and maintain that “detectives have a considerable amount of investigation to complete before we are able to understand completely what happened,” the city’s residents are reminded of the fragility of peace in their community.

A press conference was held on Monday, January 27 to provide information on the case. Police continue their investigation into the incident in order to bring justice for those affected.