When Whiskey River closed the doors of its Ingersoll Avenue bar and grill in 2022, owner Joe Romare pinned the blame on Des Moines’ crime rate. But in court filings, a former customer who was shot and wounded at the bar claims Whiskey River was part of the problem.
Richard Evans was injured on March 19, 2022, by another Whiskey River patron who Evans alleges was over-served by the bar. Evans and his wife have sued the bar for premises liability and violating Iowa’s dramshop law.
Determining liability for the shooting, which also injured a second man, may be messy. The alleged shooter has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, and investigators, as well as Whiskey River’s attorneys, allege that Evans instigated the fight that ended in gunfire.
The Evans’ attorney declined to comment. Attorneys Nick Gral and Tom Henderson, representing the bar, said owners and staff there bore no responsibility for Richard Evans’ injuries.
“Physical and gun violence are unfortunate occurrences in our society; however, the owners and staff of Whiskey River played no role in the decision of Mr. Evans to start a physical altercation with Mr. Couch, or in Mr. Couch’s decision to use a concealed hand gun in response,” the two said via email.