Deadly Shootout In Iowa Ballroom

A fight broke out at a rap show at the Col Ballroom in Davenport, Iowa, around 11:15 p.m. May 7, resulting in deadly gunfire.

When police arrived at the scene, a 19-year-old man was found lying in the street near the parking lot. The victim was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Two others were treated at area hospitals for gunshot wounds, according to Quad-City Times.

Police set up three crime scenes, including one in front of the venue and one in a parking lot a block east, the paper said.

Ballroom owner Wendy Meyrer, who could not be reached at press time, told the Times the promoter of the Trina show did not listen to her when she told him to stop the show. She said she made the request to Darryl “DJ Captain” Williams when the fight broke out.

“I told him to shut everything down,” Meyrer told the Times. “He kept the crowd going.”

Williams told the paper that those involved in the fight were removed by security and police were called. He didn’t want to stop the show because the platinum-selling Trina was yet to start her set at the 1,305-capacity venue.

“These people paid their money,” Williams said, adding that the show continued until past midnight.

Police Capt. David Struckman said the shooting was a continuation of a fight May 6 at Route 61 Bar & Grill. Police were still looking for people of interest at press time.

Meyrer said she put in a request for off-duty officers for the hip-hop show but none were available. She said she had no luck finding additional security so the show had three guards rather than the usual 10 to 15.

Juelz Santana was scheduled at the venue for May 20 but, “after that, no more hip-hop” Meyrer said.

Over the years, the venue has hosted acts like Tesla, Delbert McClinton and Kevin Costner & Modern West.