Bar patron shot with flare gun

A female bar patron suffered a one-inch burn to her face early today when she was shot with a flare gun inside the Top Hat Tavern, 6412 N. Division St. Police said the smell of powder was still evident when they arrived to the 1:30 a.m. call. Witnesses said a man in his middle 20s entered the bar and was trying to talk to a woman at the bar but was being rude, so the victim and bartender tried to intervene. The assailant became argumentative and drew a flare gun. He shot the woman from a distance of about five to seven feet before fleeing the tavern with the gun. He was last seen headed north on Division Street in a red sport-utility vehicle, possibly a Ford Explorer, said Officer Tim Moses. He was described as white, 6-foot and stocky. He has tattoos on his neck, and a tattoo with the word, “Hillyard.” Bar patrons said they recognized the man as possibly going by the name of “Zach.” Anyone with information about the incident or suspect is asked to call Crime Check at 456-2233.