DA’s Office: Fort Bliss soldier pleads guilty to 2023 deadly shooting outside bar

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A Fort Bliss soldier accused of shooting and killing a couple during a fight outside an Eastside bar pleaded guilty on Thursday, July 17, a day before his murder trial was set to begin, according to the El Paso District Attorney’s Office.

The DA’s Office said Andrew James Williams, 22, entered a guilty plea to murder, attempted capital murder of multiple persons, and attempted capital murder/obstruction or retaliation.

Back in 2023, a fight broke out among a group in the parking lot of the Ditzy Duck Bar, 1160 Airway Blvd.

2 arrested in bar shooting that killed 2, injured four others

The victims, James Nicholson, 26, his girlfriend Alexa Retana, 27, and a group of their friends and family, were on the bar’s patio when an argument started, according to the DA’s Office.

The DA’s Office said the argument then escalated into a physical altercation, involving both groups. Surveillance video from a nearby bar shows Williams holding a handgun and opening fire on the group…

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