Bartender Killed After Bar Fight Ends In Stabbing, Suspect ID'd
LEADVILLE, Colo. (CBS4) - A Leadville man was killed after a bar fight ended with a stabbing on Monday night and police have released the identity of the suspect.
District Attorney Bruce Brown confirms that Jordan Gausman died from a stab wound suffered in a bar fight. The altercation began inside the Silver Dollar Saloon about 11:30 p.m. Monday. Police say they believe Matthew James Haley, 29, is responsible for the stabbing and an arrest warrant has been issued for him. Police say Haley should be considered armed and dangerous.
The heated argument turned physical outside the bar and Gausman, 31, died from his injuries early Tuesday morning.
Witnesses told police the man Gausman got into a fight with a man who was not local and may have been camping in the area.
"It's horrific, I mean ... he was a good kid, had a lot of friends and was well liked," said local business owner Eric Laslow.
The district attorney's office, Leadville police, Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Lake County Sheriff's Office are investigating the deadly stabbing. Investigators are examining surveillance video from the business.
On May 3, a person of interest was interrogated and released. It's not clear if that person was Haley.
A few hours before he was murdered, Laslow shared a beer with Gausman and discussed a job offer.
"I was going to call him the next morning," he said.