Man arrested after shooting outside Coconuts bar

UPDATE (Sept. 15, 2026): A 24-year-old man was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of discharging a firearm after Sunday's shooting, police said. Joseph Alexander Aguilar allegedly fired several rounds into the air outside a Central El Paso bar.

According to the El Paso Police Department, it happened at the 800 block of Piedras Street near Coconuts bar. Officers went to the area after receiving a report about shots fired.

An arrest affidavit said Aguilar was at the bar with another person. Security guards told investigators Aguilar was "causing a disturbance," and they tried to kick them out. The other person reportedly had trouble paying a tab with the "tap to pay" feature, documents said.

Documents said a witness saw Aguilar argue with bouncers due to him "not wanting to pay his bar tab," The witness alleged Aguilar pushed her. Documents said Aguilar walked out of the bar and said, "I'll be back."

Aguilar and the other person allegedly went into a sedan and pulled in front of Coconuts. Documents said Aguilar got out of the passenger seat, grabbed a handgun and pointed it at the security guards.

EPPD said Aguilar fired multiple rounds into the air before leaving the area.

At the time of the shooting, officers saw Joseph Alexander Aguilar allegedly get into a dark-colored sedan and drive away. Documents said officers tried to stop the sedan, but it drove away. Other officers nearby used their unit to prevent the sedan from driving away again, documents said.

Officers took Aguilar, who was a passenger in the car, into custody. They also put the driver in handcuffs, according to documents.

While searching the vehicle, an officer found a gun under the passenger seat. Documents said it only had two rounds left.

Police booked Aguilar into the El Paso County Detention Facility under the charges.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- A spokesperson with the El Paso Police Department confirmed to ABC-7 that the department is investigating a shooting that occurred just before 5 p.m. in Central El Paso.

According to a spokesperson, the shooting occurred along Piedras Street.

ABC-7 crews monitoring cameras in the area show a police presence near the intersection of Tularosa Ave and Piedras St., near the Coconut Bar.

ABC-7 is sending a crew to the scene to learn more.