ST. LOUIS — It's been an unsettling day for Billy Barnett at J. Gravity Strings musical instrument repair shop in Soulard.
"Oh, wow that's the place right next door," Barnett said.
His music was not really on the manager's mind, but a murder that happened across the street outside of the Bottom-Line Sports Bar and Grill on South 7th Street.
"Not surprising. Just nothing really happens after 12 o'clock down here anymore," Barnett said.
Police said just after 12:30 this morning a violent crime happened.
"The park ranger was hearing gunfire," said Sgt. Charles Wall with the Metropolitan St. Louis Police Department.
The ranger went to the nightclub and found Jamal Perkins dead.
Police said Perkins had been shot multiple times.
It happened across the street from the popular Soulard Market.
"It's my understanding that this incident took place on the parking lot and wasn't inside the establishment," Wall said.
"There was a person that was shot not long ago earlier this year down the street from us, but for the most part this area is pretty safe and everybody kind of looks out for each other, " Barnett said.
The deadly shooting is the 73rd homicide in the city this year.
This was not the first time police had been called to the sports bar and grill.
"I know that they have been working with our problem properties officers as well as the problem properties unit for the city of St. Louis. I don't have any further details as far as exactly where that is right now," Wall said.
The business was closed when a 5 On Your Side crew stopped by this afternoon.
Meantime, police have not said anything about a motive for the man's murder.
"Man, that guy was 31 years old. That's wrong, but somebody knows something," Barnett said.
Anyone with information is asked to call St. Louis police. You can remain anonymous if you call Crime Stoppers at 866-371-TIPS, that's 866-371-8477.