Man shot, killed outside Spokane nightclub

A fight turned deadly late Sunday outside a north Spokane nightclub.

Julian D. Morrison, 26, was shot and killed during the confrontation in the crowded parking lot of The Hop!, 706 N. Monroe St. No arrests were made Monday, police said.

The shooting was reported at 11:58 p.m. Sunday and police were on scene two minutes later, but the suspect already was gone, according to the Spokane Police Department. About 30 to 50 people were still at the scene when officers arrived.

Witnesses reported seeing the victim fighting or arguing with another person, who then pulled a gun, Lt. Mark Griffiths said, adding that more than 10 shots were fired.

Police have provided no description of the suspect.

Morrison had a criminal record, including a 2011 assault where he was reported to have brandished a rifle during a confrontation at the Wishing Well trailer park at 4911 N. Florida St. He spent a couple of years in prison on the charges. A friend, however, said Morrison was turning his life around for the better.

“He may have a record, but he was a good guy,” Breanna Heltsley said.

Although it’s unclear whether Morrison or the suspect were at The Hop!, the nightclub was hosting a late-night party for hip-hop artist Messy Marv, who had been scheduled to perform Sunday night at Spokane’s Lincoln Center as part of his “Stop the Violence” tour. The rap artist, however, had canceled his appearance, organizers said.

Nightclub owners couldn’t be reached for comment. The Hop!’s Facebook page featured this status update early Monday: “The worst night in our history.”