Shootings bring chaotic end to street festival

Three are injured by gunfire, despite heavy police presence at Apple Chill and its aftermath

CHAPEL HILL -- Apple Chill, Chapel Hill's annual street festival celebrating arts, crafts and entertainment, came to a violent and chaotic end Sunday evening as three people were shot despite a heavy police presence at the event.

Chapel Hill Police Chief Gregg Jarvies said two victims were shot in front of the Caribou Coffee store at 110 W. Franklin St. about 8:45 p.m. One victim had a bullet graze to the head and was shot in the chest. The other victim was shot in the back.

Both were taken to UNC Hospitals. Their names and medical conditions were not available late Sunday. A third shooting victim was discovered during a traffic stop at Franklin Street and Elliott Road, though police do not know whether that person was injured during the earlier incident. That victim's injuries were not life-threatening, Jarvies said.

Forty-five minutes after the initial shooting, Jarvies said, police received another report of gunshots fired several blocks east of 110 W. Franklin St. In a third incident, a gun was brandished, but no shots were fired.

"Our officers are running everywhere," Jarvies said. "We've got shootings, major traffic congestion, several fights, officers assaulted."

Violence in previous years prompted police to blanket Sunday's event with 235 officers from Chapel Hill and nine other jurisdictions. Officers were posted in front of businesses on the west end of Franklin Street, and others were stationed on rooftops.

An estimated 30,000 people attended the festival. Traffic in Chapel Hill's downtown business district was in gridlock just before the shootings. Many people arrived after the festival's official end at 6 p.m. to socialize.

Traffic still was closed along Franklin Street at 11 p.m.

Even before Sunday night's shootings, some downtown business owners were questioning -- as some have in past years -- whether the festival and its demands on the town are worthwhile.

"I don't understand the benefits," said David Robert, a co-owner of the Dead Mule Club, a bar on West Franklin Street. "Anytime you have to bring in that many police for a street festival, that should tell you something."

The phenomenon and uneasiness center on motorcycle clubs from across the region that pour in to the event. For the past three years, their arrival has been embraced; the town blocked off half of the main drag for the bikes to park and the riders to walk and gawk.

A group of 24 owners wrote to town leaders in advance, saying the event was a "detriment" and had a "negative effect" on business. The group included The Chapel Hill News, which is owned by The McClatchy Co. and affiliated with The News & Observer.

"This is getting further and further away from what it started out as," said Jared Resnick, owner of the West End Wine Bar. "It's not about Chapel Hill. It's not a local event that promotes local businesses and local artisans."

Many of the motorcyclists are black, and some suggested that the uneasiness is over thousands of mostly younger blacks strolling the streets. The business owners specifically denied that race is a factor.

Shawn Holland who is black and is the president of a club called No. 1 Stunnas, which is a sponsor of the festival, said race may play a role in some opposition to the festival.

"There are a few people who are intimidated by African-Americans and by motorcyclists," he said. "But these people are spending money, too."

When asked whether Sunday's violence would cause the town to reconsider holding the festival, Jarvies said that decision is up to town leaders.

"Certainly, I think these are issues that need to be looked at after it's over," he said.