Wichita, Kansas - Hernan Quezada Arrested For Shooting and Killing Austen Wright Outside Vixen's Erotic Sports Bar

Arrest Made For Fatal Shooting Outside Vixen's Erotic Sports Bar

Police in Wichita have arrested a suspect in the shooting death of 24-year-old Austen Wright outside of Vixen's Erotic Sports Bar. 25-year-old Hernan Quezada faces charges of first-degree murder and criminal possession of a firearm.

Police say the shooting occurred at around 2 a.m. on Monday. A fight broke out at Vixen's Erotic Sports Bar and eventually spilled outside. During a verbal altercation in the parking lot, a group of three or four males confronted Wright and another person. One of the men in the group of three or four pulled out a handgun and shot Wright several times. Wright was brought to a nearby hospital with multiple gunshot wounds and passed away soon after arrival.

Second Fatal Shooting At Vixen's This Summer

This is not the first case of violence at Vixen's Erotic Sports Bar. On June 30, another man was shot outside of the same bar. That night, officers arrived at the scene at around 2 a.m. and found Michael Maxwell in his vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds. An unknown SUV had pulled up to Maxwell's car and fired multiple shots, before fleeing south on Water Street. Maxwell was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Are Bar Owners Obligated To Prevent Violence?

Lawyer contributor Reed Martens would like to add some thoughts on the legal options available to violent crime victims:

Keeping your property safe is part of the responsibility of being a bar owner. This means guarding against preventable hazards, including violence. In some cases, property owners can be held liable for violent incidents if the victim decides to file a shooting lawsuit.

Some violent incidents are not foreseeable. However, in some cases, these incidents may have been prevented if it weren't for a lack of proper safety precautions. For example, a bar with a history of criminal activity could hire security staff and check guests for weapons before entry.

In cases where the bar owner was aware of a history of violent incidents in and around the bar but did little to nothing to prevent future violence, the victims of violent incidents at that bar could have grounds for a premises liability lawsuit. Proving negligence in these cases is complex, so victims should speak with an experienced crime victim lawyer to fully understand their legal options.