EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A U.S. Army soldier, 22-year-old Kwesi Nataniel Bacchus, has been arrested and charged with murder following a deadly shooting outside Legendz Bar in El Paso on July 21.
The El Paso Police Department (EPPD) responded to the scene just after 12:20 a.m. where they found two soldiers, Manuel Rafael Rivera-Pohl, 24, and another 26-year-old soldier, on the ground after gunshots rang out. Two additional victims, both 19 years old, were unharmed.
According to EPPD, officers attempted to stop a white Dodge Charger seen fleeing the scene but were unsuccessful. The incident was captured on video, but EPPD has withheld it due to the ongoing investigation.
After speaking with witnesses, investigators learned that Bacchus had been involved in a confrontation earlier in the day at a car show, where he was warned by the second victim about breaking the rules by hanging out of a car window while performing “burnouts.” The argument between Bacchus and the victim escalated, and a handgun was reportedly displayed during the dispute.
Later that night, Bacchus confronted the victims outside Legendz Bar. The victims reportedly stayed inside the bar to avoid conflict, but once they left and walked to their vehicles, Bacchus and a co-defendant, who was later identified, drove up in the Charger and opened fire.
According to court documents, Bacchus had expressed his desire for retaliation, claiming that he was upset about earlier incidents involving the victims. The co-defendant, who was with Bacchus, confirmed Bacchus as the shooter.
Pfc. Rivera-Pohl, an Apache helicopter crew chief at Fort Bliss, tragically died from the gunshot wounds. The second victim, a soldier with the 1st Armored Division, was initially hospitalized but has since been released.
Bacchus was arrested and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility with a $1 million bond. The investigation continues, and EPPD is asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at (915) 566-8477.