A heavy police presence descended on Cadillac Ranch in Southington on Wednesday night after reports of gunfire during the venue’s weekly Bike Night event. Caution tape, bicycles, and numerous officers surrounded the bar on Jude Lane as of 8:15 p.m., according to witnesses and local news crews at the scene.
The Southington Police Department was joined by Connecticut State Police, including troopers with Troop H and the State Police Major Crimes Unit. The Southington Fire Department also assisted with the response. Police have not released official details about what happened, though the investigation remained active into the night.
What witnesses saw and heard
Multiple people at the event told reporters they heard what sounded like a single gunshot. One attendee, Vanessa McFadden, said the band was playing and the crowd was enjoying the night when the sound rang out. She said it initially sounded like a motorcycle backfiring before people realized otherwise.
Another witness, Zach Westover, said he didn’t hear the shot itself but noticed people running in one direction and immediately went the other way, wanting nothing to do with the situation.
Other accounts described more chaos than a single stray sound. One person leaving the area said a fight broke out near the stage while the band played, and that is when the gunshot rang out.
Witnesses said a man was shot and taken away by ambulance. Social media posts, still unconfirmed by police at the time, described a broader emergency response, claiming officers had been called in from surrounding towns including Bristol, Plainville and Farmington to help manage the scene, and that multiple ambulances had arrived.
Bike Night draws a crowd
Cadillac Ranch, known locally as a line dancing bar, was hosting its regular Bike Night on Wednesday, an event that its website describes as drawing a packed house of motorcycles and live music. The popular weekly gathering typically brings large crowds to the Jude Lane venue, making the scene especially chaotic once panic set in.
As of the latest updates, police have not confirmed the number of people involved, the extent of any injuries, or whether anyone has been arrested. Authorities have also not clarified whether the reports of a fight preceding the gunfire are accurate, or whether the shooting was an isolated incident tied to a single confrontation.
This remains a developing story, and local outlets including WTNH, WFSB, and NBC Connecticut say they will continue providing updates as more information becomes available from Southington police and Connecticut State Police. Residents in the area have been encouraged to avoid the location until officials release further details about the investigation.
