What started as a late-night argument outside Moonshiners Bar & Grill in Grayson ended with gunfire and an innocent patron hit in the neck, according to investigators. Authorities say a dispute that moved into the parking lot turned violent when shots were fired toward the business, and a "stray" round struck someone sitting on the patio. The man accused of pulling the trigger, 34-year-old Steven Tredell Brown, is now facing a stack of felony charges. Moonshiners' management insists the violence did not begin inside the bar.
Arrest and charges
Gwinnett County police arrested Steven Tredell Brown and booked him on three counts of aggravated assault, aggravated battery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. The outlet reports Brown remains in custody while detectives continue to dig into what unfolded outside the popular bar and grill.
Police account of the shooting
WSB-TV reports that, according to Gwinnett investigators, an argument inside Moonshiners spilled into the parking lot just after midnight. As people were leaving, officers say the suspect fired multiple shots back toward the business. Cpl. Ryan Winderweedle told WSB that friends tried to step in and separate the groups before things got out of hand, but one round hit a customer on the patio, breaking a bone in the victim’s neck.
Detectives later executed a search warrant at Brown’s residence and recovered three firearms, one of which was reportedly listed as stolen out of Dunwoody, WSB reported.
Business pushes back
In a Facebook statement shared with FOX 5 Atlanta, Moonshiners Grayson said a "stray bullet" struck a person on its patio and pushed back on social media chatter claiming the shooting started inside the restaurant. The bar said it is working with law enforcement and stressed that protecting guests and staff is its top priority, even as it finds itself pulled into a shooting it says began outside its doors.
Legal implications
Brown’s aggravated assault and weapons counts are felonies under Georgia law. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is barred under OCGA § 16-11-131 and can bring prison time, with penalty ranges that depend on a person’s prior record and the underlying felony, according to the Georgia Code. Prosecutors will decide whether to pursue any sentence enhancements, and a Gwinnett judge will handle bond decisions and schedule Brown’s arraignment.
Investigation ongoing
Gwinnett County police say the investigation is still active and are asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or has video from the scene to contact detectives, WSB-TV reported. Moonshiners says it is continuing to cooperate with authorities as they work to piece together every step that led from a parking-lot argument to a patron with a serious neck wound.
