2nd defendant gets 35 years for deadly Ditzy Duck Bar shooting

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- A second defendant pleaded guilty for his role in a 2023 deadly shooting outside the Ditzy Duck Bar on Airway Boulevard. Aaron John received a 35-year prison sentence for a shooting that killed two people.

John, who's 25-years-old, pleaded guilty to murder and attempted capital murder on Aug. 21, the 34th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said. His counts will run concurrently.

On July 13, 2023, a fight broke out in the parking lot of the Ditzy Duck Bar.

The District Attorney's Office said 26-year-old James Nicholson and his Girlfriend, 27-year-old Alexa Renata were involved in a physical altercation in the parking lot.

Surveillance video showed Andrew Williams pulling out a handgun and firing toward the group, the District Attorney's Office said.

Nicholson and Renata died, the District Attorney’s Office said. Four others were injured.

John shot his own weapon into the air, then at witnesses, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

As ABC-7 previously reported, Fort Bliss military police stopped a suspected vehicle that Williams and John used at the Constitution gate. Jail records said Williams and John had addresses in the military installation.

Williams previously pleaded guilty to murder and attempted capital murder. He received a life sentence in July 2025.