Gunfire, police chase at Annie’s Food & Spirits Sunday night
Jayer Salomon Romero
A complaint of disruptive conduct at Annie’s Food & Spirits led to gunfire and a police chase around 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29.
Sylva Police officers responded to a call from Annie’s, which is located on Steeple Drive just off U.S. 23/74, that two men were causing problems at the establishment.
Sgt. John Buchanan said the men, Jayer Salomon Romero and Jose Martinez, were asked to leave.
On his way out, Romero threatened several people at the bar with bodily injury. Romero and Martinez drove away, but they returned shortly and began circling the parking lot.
Buchanan said Romero fired six shots from a semi-automatic, .25 caliber handgun at five people in the parking lot. There were no injuries.
Officers pursued the men and detained them near the Sylva Moose Lodge before taking them into custody, Buchanan said.
Romero, 27, of Skyland Drive, Sylva, was charged with five counts of assault with a deadly weapon and three counts of communicating threats. He posted a $10,000 secure bond Aug. 30 and was released.
Martinez was released immediately and not charged, as there was no evidence that he’d been involved in the shooting, Buchanan said.
