Shots rang out at an Ottawa bar in the early morning hours Saturday, June 18, 2022. Just before 1:00 Saturday morning, Ottawa Police responded to a call of a fight in the parking lot of South Beach Cove. While responding, dispatch received reports of shots fired at the scene. The suspect shot 11 rounds from a 9 millimeter handgun, into the air in the the parking lot, then fled the scene in a black Jeep Cherokee, before officers arrived.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle in the 2600 block of Louisiana Road. Later that morning, 38 year old Stephen Lawrence, of Ottawa, came to the Police Department and turned himself in. He was arrested forunlawful discharge of a firearm within the City limits. Police Chief, Adam Weingartner says it was a very dangerous situation and it’s fortunate no one was injured. Several people inside the bar say when the shots rang out, some scrambled for cover.
Weingartner says, if anyone who was at the scene feels like they were in danger, he encourages them to contact the department. He adds that officers do regular checks at local bars and did so at South Beach Cove at 11:50 that night and they will continue the checks to keep patrons and the community safe.
Anyone with any further information is asked to contact the police.
