By By Adrienne McKenzie
A drive-by shooting that occurred at the Country Lounge on Hwy. 31 Wednesday night caused no injuries, but frightened many customers.
According to Country Lounge owner Andrew Stabler things at the lounge were typical of a Wednesday night until gunshots were fired at 9:08 p.m.
"We were all sitting here, we weren't real crowded and we had the normal customers," Stabler said. "We were shooting pool, drinking and watching TV, just having a good time. Then all hell broke loose. A lot of people didn't know what it was, but on the second shot I knew what it was."
Stabler said the lounge has security videos inside the facility, but none outside. That is about to change, he said.
"It's scary when you see that tape," he said. "We went back and reviewed when the shooting started. We are going to get outside cameras, too."
Stabler said he thought he heard five shots fired, but only four bullets were found. The bullets entered the building as the offender drove by shooting through the walls of the facility. They ricocheted off different walls and Stabler said it's remarkable nobody was harmed although things did get "chaotic." Stabler's wife and co-owner Martha Stabler was barely missed by a bullet, he said.
"Nobody got a scratch," he said. "It's amazing with how many shots came in here and ricocheted that it didn't hurt anybody."
According to Escambia County Sheriff's Office chief deputy John Gleaton, there is an ongoing investigation for who shot into the Country Lounge last week.
"There is an investigation into the shooting of his lounge," Gleaton said. "We have identified some possible suspects and we'll be releasing more information when we can. This is not something that the public needs to be alarmed about."
Stabler said the Sheriff's Office is doing an excellent job in trying to determine who the guilty party is in the shooting incident.
"The sheriff's department is doing a great job and we're trying to find out who did this because they could've hurt somebody out here," he said.
Anyone with any information on the shooting, please call the Escambia County Sheriff's Office at 867-0304.