Bouncer Shot and Killed At Bar
Police say bouncer was trying to break up a fight in the parking lot of a bar when he was shot to death early Monday morning.
Photos
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office identified the man shot to death Monday behind Misty's Bar and Restaurant on Main Street as Jacques Nelson, 32, of Orange.
Nelson was employed as a bouncer and was breaking up a fight between patrons in the municipal parking lot when he was fatally shot at approximately 2 a.m., authorities said.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
Someone from Misty's Bar, located at 277 Main St., was not immediately available for comment.
Early Monday, West Orange police and the prosecutor's office Crime Scene Unit had the parking lot cordoned off with police tape. The bar is directly behind the Watchung Heights Police Substation on Washington Street and adjacent to businesses.
Jack Becerra, who works at Community Business Services, whose rear door faces Misty's parking lot, said he has never had any problems with the area in the past.
"I feel very secure around here," said Becerra. "But I am very surprised, especially because it happened right next to a police substation. ... It is certainly an eye opener."
Mayor Robert Parisi issued a press release about the shooting Monday evening.
“Last night’s shooting was a tragic event that has shocked the Township," wrote Parisi in a press release, "and is a terrible reminder of the gun violence that happens every single day in our country.
... On behalf of the Township, I would like to express our sympathies to the victim’s family. I would also like to thank our residents and businesses for their patience and cooperation as this investigation continues.”
Few additional details were released by the police, though the prosecutor's office asked anyone with information about the crime to contact its Tips Line at: 1-877-847-7432.
Pastor Greg Boyle
12:12 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
I wouldn't be surprised if by the time you read this the WOPD has the person responsible.
shona
11:23 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
actually the west orange police department isnt very good at solving cases
Brett Kaiser
12:40 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
Gee, that's not baseless, irresponsible or inflammatory in the least.. I used to live on Kling..used to love livin over there in my 20's
Tom G.
3:37 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
The fact that this was near the police substation is irrelevant. Do they even use that substation? Every time I have driven by it appears dark and deserted. I'd have to think it's highly unlikely the substation was staffed at 2am and would have no bearing on the prevention of this crime.
Not that it's any excuse for the crime, but places like this should not be open at 2am, particularly in a suburban town like West Orange. The wee hours just invite trouble like this.
Gary Englert
4:39 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
Tom G.: All bars & restaurants in West Orange come under the licensing authority of the local Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (the Township Council when called to meet as such) and must adhere to local ordinances, which call for licensed premises to close at 2 AM each day...with the possible exception of New Years.
Tragic (for the victim) and stupid (by the shooter) but, all the rules, regulations and laws on the books won't prevent such things from happening.
Michelle Cadeau
8:38 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
Before the budget cuts that station was open 8am - 10am every day. After the cuts it is not open too often.
If you need to make a report you can call 973 325 4000 and they will take your report or have an officer come to you.
lorena
5:25 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
That police substation is totally worthless, i went there last monday to make a report about a problem related to that bar and i got tired of ringing the bell! No one ever answered it!!!! No point of being there!
Michelle Cadeau
8:39 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
Before the budget cuts that station was open 8am - 10am every day. After the cuts it is not open too often.
If you need to make a report you can call 973 325 4000 and they will take your report or have an officer come to you.
Brett Kaiser
5:36 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
I can tell you this...for all the "Must Close" Advocates.
Go and TRY and find a bar open at 2am Basically on Sunday Night/ Monday Morning.
This is a RARE Exception that this bar was open. Usually everyone is long gone and the Bartenders just close up shop...like at 10:00 or so Sunday Nights..Go look around..and in the Summer time? It's even less traffic.
I'll set up a Sunday night Pub Crawl in West Orange..starting at 11PM. You won't get a drink anywhere.
Who's in?
lorena
5:58 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
I live 5 mins away from there...this sounds scary but again, what were they doing at 2 am on a monday early morning???? I mean were was police night shift? I have got parking tickets at around that time recently for parking on the wrong side of the street where they are supposed to clean, im not bothering anyone and get parking tickets while im sleeping.... How about these people killing and running away???? Police should make sure bars are closed before 2am (1:45am) they should check them not on those that are sleeping! Zzzzzz (me).
David Peart
12:29 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Sorry, but that just doesn't make any sense. Had they been forced to close at 1:45am, we'd be reading about the time of death being 1:45am. The 2am time was arrived at as the result of what the board felt was best for West Orange. Drunks and irrational anger know no time. The fact is that's the law, and arbitrarily changing that law is not within the purview of the police. Should they now choose to take them back before the ABC board and argue your point, I seriously doubt they would even receive any such added restriction to their license absent a more legitimate reasoning. I understand you're being angry at receiving a parking summons, but were you in violation or not? Had they not been writing you a parking ticket, chances are this murderer would have still been killing the man. It's not like killers wait for the police to seek out routine duties before they start their killing. Cut the police some slack, they didn't kill anyone, and writing you a summons isn't a capital offense.
badbul
9:53 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
It is also going on at the old Spanky's on Watchung Avenue.
the unknown
10:31 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
so true i seen how those girls act with men inside and outside those bars, is unbelievable there no disent place to go with family, those bars are ruining our town , they should be close down ....
wohopeful
10:20 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
Oh my...gun fights at the WO Coral, Prostitution, Drug deals at the liquor stores, no police around...not the environment the high end renters of the Edison Projects are going to be happy with right outside their front doors.
David Peart
12:46 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
There was a gunfight? I read that a bouncer was shot breaking up a fist fight. Maybe you know something the rest of us don't and you'd like to elaborate. Maybe you just don't know what a gunfight is. As to loose women preying on drunks in working class neighborhood bars, wow, there's news. As is the case with any neighborhood development, such a place would be forced to either clean up their act, step up their game, and cater to their new clientele, or succumb to the cold hard realities of the marketplace. That incessant wishing for failure schtick is just plain lame.
Unknow
11:32 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
Mistys bar should closed down period. I live 2 min away from there and now I fear for my kids and I also have seen those girls and drunk people coming out of the bar. There is alway fights, this bar is cheap and nasty.
David Peart
12:37 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Why would you fear for your kids as the result of a bar, even a "cheap and nasty one" that has drunks and loose women? It's not as though drunks and loose women in bars is some new dynamic. Not to mention I seriously doubt that your kids are out at 2am?
eva
1:50 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
this is an unfortunate tragic event. what do you expect from drunk people? seriously. it's like that everywhere. whether it's a "good" neighborhood or the "hood". or are you just saying that cause majority of the people that go there are latinos? anyway i hope they find the shooter.
wohopeful
12:42 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Is it any wonder this happens given that WO has handed out far too many liquor licenses to these establishments over the years. There should be an immediate moratorium on all liquor license applications, insititue a new closing time of 10pm, and Mayor Parisi must put more police on the streets instead of taking them away.
Dan
2:38 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
@hopeful They don't hand them out. There are a set number and the usually change hands with the sales of establishments. Also, closing at 10 would cripple some of those businesses. Would you like more empty storefronts in WO? My suggestion to you would be a review of facts before posting. It would be beneficial to both you and the unsuspecting reader that may take your usual garbage for truth.
Brett Kaiser
2:57 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Holy cow. That was a bat before that. Handing out too many licenses? Where DO you get your facts?
Mary johns
9:08 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Thas very sad, wath hapend n our town ,n police dont do nothing, because they r costumers n the bars they care less.
Mary johns
9:16 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Sorry for the bouncer family, my prayers r w them, WO are getting bad, alot of BARS are open with free drugs sale n prostitution, taxes FREE. CASH money, where is our rights.
Tom G.
10:09 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
A greater police presence on the street would not have made any difference in preventing this crime. Looks to me like this bar (and maybe others) need to start screening the people who walk in. If that means frisking every person before they enter then so be it.
eva
1:52 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
plenty do but a person can easily go to their car and get a weapon.
David Peart
6:12 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
@shona, I suppose you'll be retracting that statement now that the perp has been identified.
fabiana de los santos
4:12 pm on Monday, August 13, 2012
YO LO CONOCI PERSONALMENTE Y ERA UNA PERSONA MUY NOBLE Y BONDADOSA Y UN EXELENTE CPMPAÑERO ..... MIS CONDOLENCIAS PARA SUS FAMILIARES ..