Stabbing Death Linked To Hit And Run Outside Central El Paso Bar
Police say two violent incidents outside a bar on the 5700 block of Trowbridge Drive on Saturday are related.
El Paso police officers were called out to investigate a hit and run around 2 a.m. near the Golden Nugget and Doll House bars. A 23 year-old man had been struck by a driver and suffered life-threatening injuries.
“As investigators arrived on the scene they found another man who had been stabbed in addition to the man who was struck by the vehicle,” said Detective Mike Baranyay. He said both incidents stemmed from a fight inside one of the bars. “There was a physical altercation. It continued out into the parking lot.”
Police said a 36 year old man was stabbed during that fight. They have not identified the person who did it, but said the stabbing may have been done in self-defense. “We’re letting the facts play out and we have people we’re interviewing at this time by our Crimes Against Persons detectives,” said Det. Baranyay. Police have not made any arrests so far.
A witness told ABC-7 she saw a large group of men fighting in the parking lot outside the bars. Lorena Garcia was bar tending at Doll House at the time of the incident. She said the 36 year old man was stabbed with a broken bottle.
Moments after the stabbing, the 23 year old was struck by the hit and run driver. Police have not identified either of the victims, but ABC-7 spoke with a man who said he is part of their family. Alan Rathwick said he was the brother-in-law of the 36 year old man who died in the stabbing and the cousin of the 23 year old who was struck by the vehicle. He identified the men as Freddy and Ferny Solis and said the two were cousins.
“It’s crushed the family. Freddy and Ferny were great people,” said Rathwick.
Both bars re-opened their doors Saturday night as police continue to search for clues and witnesses. “If they could come forward that would bring some closure to our family,” said Rathwick.
Police are not releasing a description of the vehicle that hit the 23 year old. They say they are still interviewing witnesses and do not want to jeopardize the homicide investigation. The 23 year old remains in critical condition at the hospital.
