Prosecutors have charged a Minneapolis man in the shooting of another man, leaving him possibly paralyzed, during an altercation outside an Uptown bar that apparently started over an unwanted kiss.
Man charged in Uptown Minneapolis bar shooting that left another paralyzed
The 21-year-old victim was possibly paralyzed for life, authorities said.
June 29, 2017 at 2:23AM
Eddie Burch, 30, was arrested while fleeing the scene of the shooting Monday, authorities said. He was later charged with first- and second-degree assault and held on $250,000 bond.
Burch is suspected of shooting the 21-year-old victim as he left Bar Louie after a confrontation between the two men in the popular Uptown hangout spilled outside.
The victim, whose name was not released, later told police that Burch approached him in the bar and, without warning, kissed his face, according to court filings. The victim said he took it as a sign of disrespect, and a shoving match broke out with witnesses saying they saw the victim throw at least one punch.
The incident occurred sometime after midnight Monday.
After the fight was stopped, police say that Burch followed the victim out of the bar, saying, "He really doesn't want to mess with me," before pulling out a handgun.
Witnesses told police that Burch shot the victim after the other man implored him to "put the gun down" and "fight like men," authorities said. Burch allegedly fired two shots, at least one of which damaged the man's spinal cord, leaving him possibly paralyzed below the waist for life, according to police.
Burch fled the scene on foot but was later arrested. A gun was recovered from an alley behind the Coup d'Etat restaurant, police said.
Burch made his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon. A message left for his court-assigned attorney wasn't immediately returned Wednesday.
Libor Jany • 612-673-4064 Twitter:@StribJany
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