Man arrested in connection with shooting inside Smokey Joe’s

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — CMPD said Friday it arrested a 39-year-old man in connection with a shooting inside a popular east Charlotte bar as it was closing early Wednesday morning.

The shooting happened around 2 a.m. inside Smokey Joe's Cafe on Briar Creek Road, not far from Independence Boulevard.

Police said two men were fighting inside the bar, one shot the other and then the suspect left the bar. The victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

CMPD arrested Timothy Lavar Williams, who had been shot before any interaction with authorities, police said.

He was taken to a hospital, treated for injuries that were not life-threatening and released.

Williams was taken to jail and charged with attempted first-degree murder.

One woman told Channel 9's Gina Esposito she was about to leave the bar with a group of friends when she went to the bathroom and that is when she heard several shots. She said she hid in a storage room to wait until everything was clear.

"I went to use the bathroom and I heard shot 'pop, pop' and I crawled on the floor," Terrie Faulkner said. "I heard another shot, so I crawled on the floor to the storage behind Smokey Joe's counter."

Nearly a year ago, on Dec. 30, 47-year-old John Songer was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting while he was standing in the patio area at Smokey Joe's Cafe.

Police charged Jamie Harris with his murder. Officials said the two did not know each other.

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for more information.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Remains believed to be missing Concord mother found after more than 7 years
• Chris Watts ordered to pay $6M to murdered wife’s parents
• Rae Carruth sends son money after being released from prison
• TRACKING: Cold and rainy across Charlotte; icy conditions further north
• Man hit, killed by car after getting off bus in west Charlotte

Cox Media Group