Two charged in Bar Zia killing; prosecutors cite security lapses, city shutters bar

💬 Social Media Perspectives

Social media users on X emphasize the role of ongoing gang rivalries in Minneapolis, such as the Lows gang, as a driving factor behind the Bar Zia shooting, providing context on how this fits into a pattern of unchecked gang violence not deeply explored in mainstream reports.
Discussions on X criticize local police and city leadership for systemic failures in addressing gang activity, arguing that lax enforcement has allowed crimes like this to escalate, a perspective absent from standard news coverage.
X posts highlight security lapses at bars as symptomatic of broader issues in downtown Minneapolis nightlife, including inadequate patrols and response times, which contribute to recurring violence.
Users on X point to the impact of drug trade and money laundering investigations linked to similar incidents, suggesting the shooting may stem from competition in illicit activities, adding economic context missing from mainstream narratives.
Perspectives on X call for community-driven solutions, like monitoring social media for clues and increasing local vigilance, reflecting frustration with official investigations and unsolved crime rates in the city.

Based on 2 sources

A shooting at downtown Minneapolis bar Bar Zia killed one person and wounded three others.
Suspects charged are Arlonzo Williams Jr., 26 (charged with second-degree murder, illegal gun possession and three counts of attempted murder) and Dantrell DaJuan Clark, 24 (charged as an accomplice with murder and attempted murder counts).
Charging documents allege security lapses at Bar Zia: patrons who exited and re-entered were not rechecked; the suspects exited to a car, retrieved a gun, then re-entered without screening.
Prosecutors characterize the attack as coordinated, gang-related (Highs vs. Lows): an accomplice shielded the victim, Clark punched the victim, Williams fired at close range, and investigators recovered 13 .40-caliber casings.
The fatality was identified as 21-year-old Damarco Fletcher Jr.; the three wounded are two women, 35 and 22, and a 24-year-old man.
The City of Minneapolis closed Bar Zia three days after the shooting for a license violation related to lack of insurance, with a notice posted on the door.
Chief Brian O’Hara said Bar Zia had been a disproportionate source of police calls, had improved after prior work with the Minneapolis Police Department, but had seen rising calls in recent weeks.

Follow how coverage of this story developed over time

November 07, 2025

2:16 PM

Paul Walsh

New information:

Suspects identified and charged: Arlonzo Williams Jr., 26 (second-degree murder, illegal gun possession, three counts of attempted murder) and Dantrell DaJuan Clark, 24 (charged as an accomplice with murder and attempted murder counts).
Charging documents allege security lapses: patrons re-entering were not re-checked; the suspects exited to a car, retrieved a gun, then re-entered without screening.
City of Minneapolis closed Bar Zia three days after the shooting for a license violation related to lack of insurance (notice posted on door).
Victim identified as 21-year-old Damarco Fletcher Jr.; three others wounded (women 35 and 22, man 24).
Prosecutors describe coordinated, gang-related conduct (Highs vs. Lows), including an accomplice shielding the victim, Clark punching the victim, and Williams firing at close range; 13 .40-caliber casings recovered.
Chief Brian O’Hara said Bar Zia had been a disproportionate source of calls, improved after prior work with MPD, but saw rising calls in recent weeks.

October 08, 2025

11:01 AM

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul by [email protected] (Katie Wermus)