SAN ANTONIO – The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has opened an investigation into a shooting that claimed the lives of two people and left five others wounded Sunday night at a downtown San Antonio bar.
According to a news release, TABC agents will conduct a breach investigation of Ventura to determine if the club took proper steps to ensure public safety. Investigators will also determine whether the sale or service of alcohol contributed to the shooting.
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Breach investigations are standard procedure when a violent incident resulting in death or serious injury -- dubbed a “breach of the peace” by TABC -- happens at a licensed business, according to agency Executive Director Bentley Nettles.
"The vast majority of licensed alcohol retailers are taking the necessary steps to protect their customers," Nettles said. "In those rare cases where a violent incident takes place, TABC is committed to determining whether business owners did what was necessary to keep the public safe."
Under the Alcoholic Beverage Code, alcohol license or permit holders are required to maintain the peace in their establishment, which includes refusing sale of alcohol to intoxicated patrons, notifying law enforcement of a violent incident within 24 hours, as well as disallowing handguns at locations where such weapons are prohibited.
Killed in the shooting were Robert Jay Martinez III, 20, and Alejandro Robles, 25.
Kiernan Christopher Williams, 19, was arrested and charged with capital murder.
Ventura on Tuesday released the following statement on Facebook about the shooting:
"There are no words to describe how completely devastated we are by the events that took place at Ventura on Sunday. Our hearts and prayers are with the families of those who lost loved ones, and those who were injured and affected by this senseless act of violence. The members of our staff are shaken and in a mixed state of disbelief and grief. Ventura has always been a place of community and inclusion; we have been honored to be one of the foremost homes to local music and musicians of San Antonio. We can not understand, nor could we have ever imagined this terrible tragedy that took place in our establishment. Thank you to all of those who have reached out to us to show love and support for us in this difficult time.
“The future of Ventura will involve much recovery and healing, not only for ourselves but for the friends and families apart of our community. The family of Robert Martinez will be holding a vigil, Wednesday January 22nd at 6pm here at Ventura. We will also be posting the gofundme pages for the families of Robert Martinez and Alejandro Robles. Please donate anything you can to show support.”
There are no words to describe how completely devastated we are by the events that took place at Ventura on Sunday. Our...
Posted by Ventura SATX on Tuesday, January 21, 2020