Panic after nightclub shooting
Saturday 23rd June 2007, 10:43AM BST.
A gunman opened fire on the dancefloor of a packed Shropshire nightclub, sending hundreds of revellers fleeing to safety early today.
A man in his 20s from the Telford area was shot in the arm at The Buttermarket in Howard Street, Shrewsbury, at 2am. Armed police are believed to have been called as hundreds of clubbers feared more shots as they made their escape.
Police today said two shots were fired.
A major police investigation was launched and forensic teams are today examining the scene.
Nobody has yet been arrested.
The club and Howard Street were this morning sealed off by police who were only letting Royal Mail vans in and out of the sorting office depot.
Uniformed officers were guarding The Buttermarket, which was entirely surrounded by police tape.
Detectives and forensics teams were inspecting the building. Smashed glass and bottles were scattered around the main entrance.
About 12 revellers from the Buttermarket were locked in Vincent’s Taxis after the shooting.
Katherine Sherry, who was working at the time, said armed police pulled up outside the office and closed most of Castle Foregate and some of Smithfield Road.
She said officers told clubbers to get inside the taxi office and for the staff to lock the doors.
Detective Inspector Sheila Thornes, leading the investigation, said: “We believe two shots were fired, one of which hit a man on the arm when he was on the dancefloor.
“A large number of people were in the club at the time, many of whom left quickly when they heard the shots.
“We need to speak to anyone who was there, whether or not they witnessed the incident, they may have information which could help the inquiry.”
Lynn Masters, spokeswoman for West Mercia Police said: “Police were called to a report of a shooting in the Buttermarket nightclub in Howard Street, Shrewsbury at approximately 2am today.”
Coaches from Walsall, Wolverhampton and Birmingham were expected to travel to Shrewsbury for last night’s clubbing event.
By Andy Robbins and Kirsty Marston
Do you know anything about this incident? Do you know the injured man? Our newsdesk team would like to hear from you. Call 01952 241421. Or email us here
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why on earth was a gun able to make its way into a nightclub with all the recent gun crime ????
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i set up theme’s in this nightclub virtually everyweek and this is very uncommon . the door staff are usually very efficient and well trained
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The buttermarket is uaually a far cry from anything like this, one of the safest most pleasant venues in the county.
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im shocked shrewsbury used to be a safe place to be but not these days
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I have run events at this venue over the last two years and been visiting it for the last 10 years and this is such a suprise. The Buttermarket is probably one of the safest and fiendlist venues in the town.
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As a professional Door Supervisor with experience of the Buttermarket and it’s security company – The guys there do a fantastic job, they are well trained, efficient and carefull – before you blame the staff – I ask how guns are able to make it onto aircraft, into Presidential areas and into prisons – All have far more resources and powers of search than the humble nightclub and it’s staff – we try to keep violence out of our venues – but have far less powers and equipment than high security areas which suffer the same problems – if you want to blame someone ? – Blame the guy with the gun, the guy who sold the gun and those that support their use.
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as someone you reguarly promotes events there, and who was there on thrsday enjoying reggae group “Culture” it saddens me tat someone has to spoil it for the masses.
The buttermarket is not a violent club and this is not te norm.
Matt
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I was also at this event, and knew exactly what had occured when upoon hearing the firts three shots ring out, I was total kaos, people running evrywere and falling over, it had all seemed to quieten down until, another two shots rung out. I was just so angry at the fact that these people had to ruin it for the masses. What was even worse for the coach travellers, is the fact that a special arms unit had been despatched to search evry single coach.
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The Buttermarket is Shrewsbury’s premier venue and all the staff and door staff do their upmost to make it a save place for people to go out and be entertained by the very best local tallent and international acts. Nothing has ever happened like this before and this is completly out of the blue.
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i was there, never been so scared in my life
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I know!…lets open a lap dancing club around the corner!! That’ll pull the area up
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Can’t believe most the messages here are either trying to the save reputations or promote businesses
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In reply to Michelles question “why on earth was a gun able to make its way into a nightclub with all the recent gun crime ???? ” There is only so much door supervisors can do in way of searching people, the door staff at the Buttermarket are the most efficiant and proffesional in Shrewsbury. I have never been searched at any other venue in Shrewsbury, yet i am searched every time i visit the Buttermarket. Sadly with all the security measures taken, its impossible to put a stop to this, these things are going to happen with determind people masterminding these crimes.
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shocked! i can’t believe it. i’m a big fan of the buttermarket and will ofcourse not let this incident keep me away, but, at the risk of sounding 60, what is the world coming to? vile!
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“Can’t believe most the messages here are either trying to the save reputations or promote businesses”
I cannot beleive you have the ordasity to say that, i have no connections with the Buttermarket but it is the safest place inthe county to go out and have a good time. It was pure unfortionate luck that this happened in the Buttermarket, it could of happened anywhere. The Buttermarket is the only worthwhile entertainments venue in Shrewsbury, it is not owned by a multi million pound company, and it showcases local tallent. People like you will make me sick.
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being a shropshire lad now living in north manchester we are used to readings of shootings in south manchester, saddened me to read of incident in buttermarket, being how i tell people up here how shrewsbury is such a safe place to live and visit, hope its an isolated incident im sure it is.
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This incident was not typical of Shrewsbury, and must not reflect unfavourably on the the staff , promoters or owners of the venue. It was unfortunate, but no-one can predict this kind of event.
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Promoted or not it is still going to keep people away from the club.
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wow is all i can say really, i know alot of ppl who go there and am mates with the manager and a guy who runs night there once a month also know alot of dj`s there im glad no1 was seriously injured but is it now comin to the fact that ppl are going to have to be searched properly now before entry to make ppl feel safe,.
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I have been going to various events at the venue for over 10 years and have never seen any trouble, compare this to an average night at the towns other ‘commerical’ nightclubs and there’s disturbance and drunken violence on a regular basis. However, the vibe is noticably more ‘spikey’ when events attract the ‘scally’ element from out of town – but even so u don’t expect this sort of trouble. I think its the best venue in the region and have the most creative and cutting edge music – essential for a vibrant shrewsbury music scene.
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I think Mark is correct also, seems like people are trying to save face, sure the buttermarket is usually safe but why invite a event that other clubs have concerns over?
But the door men are not to blame here.
Shrewsbury is starting to get a bit out of control, it will be even worse if they cannot afford to run the CCTV system.
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Gun crime is here to stay (Unfortunately)with the fall of the soviet countries and excessive amounts of weapons available to buy and borders being opened up weapons can be moved freely around europe, gangsters / mafia / organised criminals are making a fortune at the exspence of our security safety its becoming more like the USA every day, and they have more weapons than people in the USA, my advice is buy your self a Flak Jacket if your planning a night out.
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