4 people shot outside a bar in Visalia

Monday, June 6, 2016
4 people shot outside a bar in Visalia
Four people were shot as they drove away from a Visalia bar.

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Four people were shot as they drove away from a Visalia bar and Monday afternoon police are still searching for the suspect. The shooting happened just before one Monday morning outside the Fifth Quarter Bar.

Several cars were seen leaving the parking lot of the Fifth Quarter Bar and Restaurant after the shooting. When police showed up, they found a car with five people inside, including four men, who had been shot.

Police are interviewing three of them Monday-- the fourth is in critical condition.

"Officers were able to get on scene, saw that there were several shots fired at that vehicle as it left the business. We have not identified any suspects at this point and we do not know exactly what preceded. We do know there was an altercation inside the restaurant prior to the shooting. We are now trying to currently investigate to figure out what happened prior to the shooting," said Sgt. Damon Maurice, Visalia Police Department.

During that altercation, several people were thrown out by security, but it's not clear if those people were involved in the shooting.

The Fifth Quarter has been open since October. A manager said the bar's owner doesn't condone what happened and said that the restaurant has a good clientele. He said at least a dozen of their loyal customers have called and asked if they are still open, and are pleased when they are told yes they are.

"There has been some police calls for service there recently, nothing of this nature, though," said Maurice.

Police are reviewing surveillance video from the business. They also believe there were people outside when the suspect shot at the car.

With few leads to work with, police are asking those people to come forward.

While one shooting victim is in critical condition, police said they do expect that person to survive.

Anyone with information is asked to call Visalia police.