Anthony L. Concepcion produced a handgun from his waistband, fired at the ground and pumped several rounds into Patrick Walker outside of La Guira Bar in December, authorities said.
Prosecutors are still unsure of the reasons behind the Dec. 13 slaying that took the 39-year-old’s life. Was it drug related? Was it gang related? Did Concepcion, 23, who is charged with murder and weapons offenses, exchange words with Walker before the shooting?
Assistant Prosecutor Michelle Gasparian said authorities have no clear motive and are hoping witnesses who identified Concepcion as the gunman can help them piece it together.
Walker was found outside the North Clinton Avenue establishment around 2 a.m., suffering multiple gunshot wounds, and died a short time later.
Authorities have a patchwork of surveillance footage from the bar and other businesses, Gasparian said. Gasparian said there is no indication Concepcion was ever inside the bar or interacted with Walker before shooting him.
Concepcion, a known gang member with a violent past, was arrested by U.S. Marshals in a Florida hotel last month.
Concepcion’s attorney, Sam Goldberg, said his client traveled to the Sunshine State to visit family and was unaware police had issued a warrant for his arrest.
Concepcion was being held in lieu of $500,000 bail. Superior Court Judge Timothy Lydon increased bail to $750,000.
Concepcion was previously arrested Sept. 30 on drug and weapons charges after police said they watched him dispose of a marijuana-filled cigarette box. During a search, police found a gun stashed in Concepcion’s groin.
Walker was the second person shot outside of La Guira Bar last year, following the July 12 shooting death of Enrico Smalley Jr.
Repeated gun violence outside the bar prompted the Alcoholic Beverage Control division of the Attorney General’s Office to inquire into La Guira Bar’s practices. The owner expressed concern he would be shut down and vowed to enact safety measures to help curtail the violence.
Concepcion served two state prison sentences for weapons convictions, according to state records. One conviction stemmed from an incident in which Concepcion was accused of shooting at the mother of his child while she held the couple’s baby in her arms in 2010.
Concepcion was originally charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault, child endangerment and weapons offenses. But a grand jury no billed most of the charges and indicted him on a single count of aggravated assault, said Casey DeBlasio, spokeswoman for the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
Concepcion pleaded guilty to second-degree possession of a weapon and received a five-year sentence in 2011, DeBlasio said.