To the editor:

As a 44-year resident and student of Lawrence, I’ve watched how that adage of “nothing good ever happens after midnight” holds true for this town. Indulge me a review of the allegations in the Hawk shooting case: two underage suspects “sneak” into the Hawk bar with handguns.

At 1:45 a.m., Hawk bar staff ask the group to leave but they refuse and engage in a fight with bar staff. No immunity here. Upon final exit, one suspect fires multiple shots while the other becomes “scared” as he fires his gun at the bar. No immunity here.

The consequences of this “random gunfire” are the death of an 18-year-old and serious injury of a 16-year-old. No immunity here.

Are underage patrons allowed to use the Hawk? No immunity here.

The “scared” suspect’s defense attorney files an immunity motion. Immunity?

What recourse do the dead and injured bystanders get in this sad lesson? No immunity here.

Judge Amy Hanley should take a firm stance in denying this immunity motion and send a message to all that firearms, underage bar patrons and random acts of violence will not be tolerated in Lawrence, Kansas!

J.R. Bryant,

Lawrence