A beef with a strip club bouncer erupted into high-powered violence when a patron returned with an AK-47 and shot up the club.
Police continued this morning to search for Henry Pettigrew, 21, who they identified as the gunman caught on surveillance video firing multiple rounds into Purple Orchid Gentleman’s Club.
Pettigrew and a friend were ejected from the Purple Orchid May 11 after a heated dispute with a bouncer and manager shortly before 2 a.m., police said.
Minutes later, A man wearing an orange hooded-sweatshirt returned to the club with the assault weapon, witnesses told police. After blasting what appeared to be several shots into a passing car, the gunman rushed to the club’s front door, slipped and fell, and then entered the club’s vestibule, where he slipped and fell again. When he regained his footing, the surveillance video captured images of the gunman swing open the door leading into the club and firing at occupants multiple times.
One person was struck, but not seriously injured, police said.
The gunman fled the club and got into a getaway vehicle, believed to be a Hyundai or Mitsubishi, driven by his friend.
Investigators describe Pettigrew as black, about 5-foot-11, 180 pounds and sporting a thin beard. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Maurizio of Southwest Detectives at 215-686-3183.
