SAN BERNARDINO – Police are still piecing together evidence of a shooting that included two victims, including a 17-year-old, who were shot in the early morning hours on Sunday.
No suspects have been taken into custody, said Lt. Rich Lawhead of the San Bernardino Police Dept. But the car which had left the scene was located and the gun used in the shooting was recovered, he said.
David Raul Mergil, 37, of San Bernardino was shot several times in his upper torso. The second victim, not identified due to his age, was shot once in the throat. Police said both men were taken by private vehicles to Loma Linda University Medical Center. Police were summoned to the Ahalena Hookah Bar/Lounge in the 1900 block on South Diners Ct. after the shooting had been reported.
Initial reports, said Lawhead, was that Mergil was listed in serious condition, but was upgraded to stable condition after treatment. The 17-year-old was listed in stable condition. “Both victims,” he said, “are also believed to have ties to local street gang activity.” Police were able to get statements from several witnesses. Said Lawhead: “It appears that two separate groups became involved in an argument outside the lounge.”
During the argument, he said, an unknown subject began shooting toward the victims, both struck by the gunshots. Most of the people at the location had fled after the shooting, said Lawhead, who said a vehicle that had left the shooting was located near the hospital “and a firearm was located in the vehicle.” The shooting, which occurred near the scene of a triple murder about four months ago, took place near Hospitality Lane, which is considered a central location for patrons. The area is within just a few miles of the hospital in which the victims were taken. Investigators are continuing to gather more information.
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The Sun: Two hospitalized in SB shooting
