A suspect was nabbed on Wednesday in connection with a double shooting that took place outside a Fort Lauderdale bar known for being a hotspot of violence, Local 10 News reports. Jorge Andres Varona Suarez, 36, is facing attempted felony murder charges following the incident which occurred early Monday morning.
The arrest follows a grim scene captured by surveillance footage from Yes Pawn, which appears to show the buildup to the shooting outside the Band House bar. The establishment, situated at 801 NE 62 St, has a checkered past, having operated under multiple names like Take 1 Lounge, and Jesters Sports Bar in the past, with an extensive list of police call-outs and code violation misdemeanors to its name, including unauthorized strip club activities.
According to The Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue responded promptly to the incident, where they found two men critically injured—one shot in the head, the other in the chest. The victims were quickly transported to North Broward Hospital, grasping onto life in critical condition.
The bar's documented history of criminal incidents has sparked concern among the local community, particularly residents of the adjacent Cypress Creek Mobile Home Country Club who have previously lodged complaints regarding crime affiliated with the venue. With recent events casting a renewed spotlight on the establishment, neighbors are calling for a deeper investigation into the property's violent legacy, seeking answers and measures that will ensure their safety.
Details surrounding the motivations for Monday's shooting remain unclear. Varona Suarez, however, remains in custody at the Broward Main Jail without bond and is also being held on an immigration hold, pending further investigation.
