At least 25 people were shot in a nightclub in Little Rock, Arkansas, early Saturday morning and three others suffered unrelated injuries, police said.
One of the injured was initially listed in critical condition, but later updated to stable after the shooting at Power Ultra Lounge in the state's capital city around 2:30 a.m. CT. The other injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, according to the Little Rock Police Department.
The wounded were transported to various hospitals in the area.
Later Saturday morning, the Little Rock Police Department wrote on Twitter: "At this time, all are expected to survive."
#UPDATE our victim in the mass shooting that was critical has been upgraded to STABLE. Please call MC with info at 371-4660. — Little Rock Police (@LRpolice) July 1, 2017
#UPDATE 28 injured in the W 6th Street Shooting, 25 from GSW's and 3 from unrelated injuries. At this time, ALL are expected to survive. — Little Rock Police (@LRpolice) July 1, 2017
Police said there was a dispute during a concert at the nightclub and an exchange of gunfire occurred.
There was no immediate information about suspects, but police said the incident did not appear to be an active shooter or connected to terrorism.
We do NOT believe this incident was an active shooter or terror related incident. It appears to have been a dispute at a concert. — Little Rock Police (@LRpolice) July 1, 2017
Arkansas' Department of Finance Administration announced in a press release Saturday that its Alcoholic Beverage Control division has ordered the immediate suspension of the liquor permit issued to the nightclub following the "significant shooting."
According to the press release, the mixed-drink permit is issued to Hermon Lewis of Little Rock. In issuing the emergency order, Alcoholic Beverage Control scheduled a hearing before its board for July 10, inviting Lewis to appear.
"We will exercise the authority granted us under the law to preserve and safeguard the public safety," Mary Robin Casteel, director of Alcoholic Beverage Control, said in a statement Saturday that cited three potential violations: failing to be a good neighbor, allowing possession of weapons on the premises as well as disorderly conduct.
"We feel the events which are alleged to have occurred warrant our decision to suspend liquor sales at this location pending further action by the board," Casteel added.
Finese 2tymes, a rapper who was apparently performing at the club the night of the shooting, issued a statement on his Facebook page, sending "condolences" to the victims and thanking his fans who attended the concert.
"The violence is not for the club people. We all come with [one] motive at the end of the day. And that's to have fun. Not to be hurt," he wrote in the Facebook post.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson also issued a statement Saturday, noting what he called Little Rock's growing "crime problem."
"Little Rock's crime problem appears to be intensifying. Every few days it seems a high-profile shooting dominates the news, culminating with this morning's event," Hutchinson said. “We are still gathering facts, but it is clear that we need to have a comprehensive enforcement strategy in place that helps take the violent threats off the streets. The state will participate and bring assets to the table to support local law enforcement efforts."
ABC News' Christopher Donato and Benjamin Stein contributed to this report
CantThinkStrait on July 1st, 2017 at 14:13 UTC »
This is at the tail end of a 7 or 8 day time span that saw 12 drive-by shootings. Little Rock is getting back to its pre-90s way of life. "Banging in Little Rock" anyone?
MizzouRah22 on July 1st, 2017 at 12:04 UTC »
I would haaate to be the prosecuting attorney on this case
Themodernphenomenon on July 1st, 2017 at 11:37 UTC »
17 shot, all alive as of now according to the police dep. Could have been so much worse.