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Update: Police Arrest Suspect In Atlanta Concert Shooting
UPDATE 11/15: Police have arrested a suspect in the Nov. 12 shooting at The Masquerade in Atlanta that killed two.
Jonathan Bautista was arrested in Social Circle, Ga., Nov. 15, after information was solicited from the general public by police.
The suspect is being charged with two counts of murder.
ORIGINAL STORY: Two concertgoers were killed at The Masquerade in Atlanta Nov. 12 during a performance from rapper Cousin Stizz. Police are offering a cash reward for information on the shooters.
Frank Mullen/WireImage – The Masquerade
The crowd cheers in this 2006 file photo of a concert at The Masquerade in Atlanta, Ga.
The violence broke out when two attendees climbed onstage in between sets, aggravating at least one currently unidentified member of the crowd, who shot the climbers. One victim was declared dead on the scene while the other died in a local hospital.
Two more fans were injured, with non-life-threatening wounds to their feet and ankles.
Atlanta police officer Lisa Bender told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the shooter was witnessed by unarmed security but was not detained and escaped.
At press time police wanted to know the identities of two men, one who was wearing a red plaid shirt at the concert and one wearing a dark plaid shirt, for questioning (image can be found through link).
A reward of up to $2,000 was being offered for information related to the shooting.
The Masquerade complex includes different stages, titled “Heaven,” “Hell,” and “
Cousin Stizz took to social media after the shooting, writing, “I’m in shock and at a loss of words for the senseless violence. … My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.”
The Masquerade issued a statement on the shooting Nov. 14 through its social media accounts.
“Our deepest heartfelt condolences go out to the victims of Sunday night’s tragic act of violence and their families,” the statement read. “Security is our number one priority and we are reviewing our protocols to ensure that all of our patrons are safe at all times. Going forward, there will be an increased security presence on site, including heightened uniformed Police presence at all events.”
All scheduled concerts were going forward at press time, with Hatebreed, Cannibal Corpse, Roni Size, Lil Pump and Anti-Flag all booked in the coming months.
“Hell At The Masquerade” is scheduled to host The Story So Far tonight.
Pollstar reached out to the Masquerade for comment, but hadn’t heard back at press time.