In the early morning hours of August 27, 2023, a celebration at the Southern Restaurant & Lounge on West Market Street in downtown Louisville turned fatal when gunfire erupted outside the venue. Thirty-seven-year-old Terrance Bethel was found dead at the scene; another man, 35-year-old Colby Banks, later died after being taken to hospital. Four others — three women and one man — suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Friends and family remembered Bethel as a devoted father and a generous, lively presence at gatherings. Police said security-camera footage captured the shooting; according to court documents, a security guard identified as 38-year-old Arthur Simson, who also uses the last name Simpson, turned in the handgun used and admitted to being the person seen firing. Simson was arrested on September 15, 2023, and charged with two counts of murder and four counts of second-degree assault; he pleaded not guilty and bond was set at one million dollars. Reports note Simson had a prior conviction for domestic violence and was on probation at the time.

Does anyone who attended that night or knew Terrance have information that could shed more light on what happened?