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Cops: Dispute led to Chop Suey shootings

A King County judge set bail at $2 million each for the two suspects in this weekend’s shootings at Chop Suey. Documents from the hearing paint a picture of a personal dispute that played out with deadly consequences for those who happened to be caught in its path.

Roger La Branche, 25, was arrested at the scene of the crime on Sunday morning after he was grabbed and detained by clubgoers in the chaos following the shootings. According to court documents, the shootings were part of a long-running dispute between the Everett man and one of the two victims who survived the shooting. The victim told detectives he saw Labranche outside of the club earlier in the night talking to a man that was later identified as the second suspect, 18-year-old Carlos Bernardez. Bernardez, who lives in an apartment near Harborview, was arrested by a SWAT team at his parents’ home, Sunday.

According to the documents, Bernardez claims he was recruited by La Branche at Chop Suey the night of the show to help in the shooting and that La Branche threatened to shoot him if he did not comply. Bernardez is quoted as saying he then received a gun from La Branche, went to back door of the club, knocked and opened fire when the door was opened before fleeing the scene. Witnesses inside the club say they saw La Branche chase the victim down the hallway and fire a single shot at him.

Charges against the two suspects will likely be filed later in the week.

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Jared M.
Jared M.
15 years ago

We are all sickened by the events that unfolded at Chop Suey this weekend. All people must know is that THIS IS NO WAY CONNECTED OR HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH MUSIC. THIS IS NO MORE THAN SOME HOOD SHIT. SOME STREET SHIT THAT TRICKLED INTO A VENUE THAT HAS NOT HAD PROBLEMS IN THE PAST.

Warmest regards to the family of Avery Turner who is doing better every day and blessings to the family of Joseph M. Ryan a.k.a. 29-E. Parents just are not supposto have to bury their kids. Nobody can ever repay or make right the events that caused your loss. We must make changes to prevent and secure the safety of anybody that wishes to support local music.

I am disgusted with some of the articles and information presented by the media in this case. It is depressing, untrue and NOT FAIR! I thought your job was to report the news, but all they seem to care about is ratings.

I am proud to be associated with local NW Hip Hop.