Shots fired as patrons exit local bar at closing time
No one hurt; police looking for leads
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

Police responded to a report of gunshots fired during the early morning hours on Sunday in the 2500 block of Stow St.

Dennis Garza, 25, and Gevorg Babakhanyan, 24, both of Simi Valley, were in their vehicle leaving the Candlelight Bar & Restaurant premises at approximately 2:16 a.m. when someone fired shots from an unknown type of firearm.

Sgt. David Livingstone of the Simi Valley Police Department said nobody was hit or injured as a result of the incident, but the two men were listed as victims because they were the "best witnesses" at the time.

"It was technically a crime," Livingstone said. "Any time there's a crowd of people who are in danger, they could all technically be considered victims. They were probably the people that called."

Candlelight Kitchen & Bar is a popular weekend hangout, Livingstone said. The restaurant, which serves food and alcoholic drinks nightly, closes at 2 a.m. on Saturday nights.

Livingstone said details surrounding the shooting are still unclear. The shooter fled prior to police arriving at the restaurant, and the direction of the shots fired is still unknown. Police have no leads in regard to the identity of the shooter.

Simi detectives have now taken the lead on the investigation.