Louisville police looking for SUV connected to nightclub shooting that killed 1, injured 7

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville police are asking for the public's help finding a vehicle that may be connected to a nightclub shooting early Saturday.

One person was killed and seven others injured after a shooting at the H2O Lounge.

At a news conference on Monday, Louisville Metro Police released images of what investigators believe is a lightly-colored 2007 to 2014 Chevy Tahoe. The SUV was likely damaged by gunfire.

"We believe the damage occurred at the time of the shooting, and the vehicle was possibly disabled and may not have been able to travel very far from the scene," said Lt. Les Skaggs with the Homicide Unit.

Police believe there was only one shooter that opened fire outside the H2O Lounge, and the suspect may have actually shot the vehicle he fled in, according to police.

"We know that somebody knows where this vehicle is. We are desperately trying trying to locate this vehicle because we believe it will lead us to identifying a suspect in this case," Lt. Skaggs said.

Louisville Metro Police Department officials said they responded to a call of several people shot at the nightclub near 26th and West Broadway just before 1 a.m.

Lt. Skaggs said there were an estimated 40 people outside of the club at the time of the shooting. All the victims were outside the club.

"We have heard the same accounts as far as what led to the shooting was a dispute of some kind. When the dispute happened outside of the bar, the suspect fired multiple rounds striking our eight victims," Lt. Skaggs said.

The Jefferson County Coroner's Office said Joseph D. Bowers, 40, of Indianapolis, died at the scene.

Another adult in critical condition with life-threatening injuries was taken to UofL Health Hospital in downtown Louisville with gunshot wounds. Police on Monday said there has been no update to the person's condition.

Six other people transported themselves to area hospitals with injuries that police said were not life-threatening.

LMPD said people connected to H2O Lounge have cooperated with the investigation.

According to a statement from the Louisville Metro Alcoholic Beverage Control on Sunday, the nightclub has voluntarily agreed to a temporary closure. "This decision, made in light of our shared concerns for public safety, allows them time to mourn the tragic loss of their employee while ensuring the community’s well-being."

Anyone with any information about the shooting is asked to call the LMPD tip line at 502- 574-LMPD (5673) or you may utilize the anonymous Crime Tip portal click here.

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Louisville police looking for SUV connected to nightclub shooting that killed 1, injured 7