Troop Talk
In the early hours of Sept. 21, a gunman opened fire outside of Graham’s Central Station, a nightclub in El Paso. Eleven people were shot, but fortunately no one was killed. There was an altercation inside the nightclub that escalated into a fight outside in the parking lot, according to an article in the El Paso Times. During the fight, shots were fired and several bystanders were hit. A Soldier was grazed by a bullet while trying to leave the area. Luckily, the wound did not seem to have caused any lasting injury.
Confrontations can turn violent very quickly, especially when people are drinking alcohol. If you are at a bar or nightclub and there is a fight developing, remove yourself from the situation as quickly and safely as you can. Don’t stand around and watch what happens. Arguments can get out of hand, and it is not worth the risk of being caught in the middle.
Although Graham’s Central Station is not off-limits to Soldiers, other locations have been placed off limits due to drug activity, violence or other problems. Off-limit businesses are: St. Cuthbert’s Trading Post at 2200 North Yarbrough, La Chandra at 4607 Dyer St., Club Volare (also called Club Foot or Club Rico) at 201 North Stanton St., Capone’s Bar (also called Club ER) at 412 East San Antonio, and Margarita’s Nightclub at 8750 Gateway Blvd. East.
Juarez is still off-limits for servicemembers, and non-servicemembers are strongly urged to stay on this side of the border until Juarez is safer.
El Paso Police believe the shooting may have been gang-motivated, according to reports cited in the Times. Police said a stabbing Thursday night at a downtown bar may also have been gang-related. All Fort Bliss personnel are encouraged to avoid locations or events known for attracting gang activity. There are places to go on post, such as the nightclub in the Centennial Club, which offer fun activities in a safe environment.
The safety of every member of Team Bliss is my concern. Please keep safety a high priority, whether you are training, driving your personally owned vehicle or out at a nightclub. If you are going to drink alcohol, please drink responsibly and either take a taxi or have a designated driver. There will always be dangers that are outside your control, but by using common sense and avoiding high-risk locations, you can increase your chances of staying safe.
Maj. Gen. Howard B. Bromberg
Fort Bliss Commanding General