An argument in a restaurant bar late Friday night turned into a deadly gun battle that trapped customers and employees inside, caused a Martinsville Police officer to open fire and ultimately left two men dead.
Two Martinsville residents died at the scene of the shootout at El Norteno Restaurant on East Church Street in Martinsville. Two others were sent to the hospital with serious injuries.
The incident began at about 10:30 when several customers in the bar area began to argue, a release from the Virginia State Police said, weapons were produced and shots rang out.
Thatâs when the two Martinsville men, ages 23 and 33, fell dead. Their names have not been released pending notification of next of kin.