LEXINGTON, Ky. — Police in Lexington continue to investigate a mass shooting that left one dead and five others injured last Friday, Aug. 9. It happened at 701 National Avenue, formerly known as El Cid Restaurant.
Business owners and community members in Lexington’s Eastside neighborhood gathered at the restaurant Thursday afternoon to “take back” their neighborhood. They said last week’s tragedy serves as a reminder that no neighborhood or community is immune to gun violence.
A week later, the community is still searching for answers after a gunman fired into the open bar.
Six people were shot; one man, 31-year-old Antione Clay, died at the hospital. Five others were taken to the hospital with non-life threating injuries.
But, it’s a story all too familiar for Lexington resident, Priscilla Sandifer.
“Every morning that I wake up, I suffer. Every night that I lay down, it’s another day I’ve made it through without my only child,” Sandifer said.
Sandifer’s daughter, Amaya, was an aspiring nurse. She was shot and killed two years ago near Green Acres Park. The 20-year-old was killed months before her final semester of college.
“My daughter was not in the streets, she was not of the streets. She hung with no one that hung in the streets. She was graduating college early, she graduated high school early,” Sandifer said.
Sandifer and another victim of gun violence, Alisa Hairston, attended a news conference regarding last Friday’s tragedy. Hairston’s goddaughter was there that night.
“She said it was just a normal day, everybody was having a good time and the next thing you know, shots were coming from everywhere,” Hairston said.
Hairston’s goddaughter survived. But, it was all too familiar for the mother who lost her then 17-year-old son, Berkley Parks, in 2021; also in the east end to gun violence.
“My heart went out to the mother that lost her child; I was like, ‘oh Lord, somebody’s getting ready to feel my pain.' I’m like Lord Jesus, not again,’” Hairston said.
Sandifer and Hairston turned their pain into purpose. This past February, Sandifer lobbied with Moms Demand Action in Frankfort for stronger gun legislation. Hairston founded Berkley’s It Really Does Matter, a nonprofit which gives back to other families affected by gun violence.
Now, the at the corner of National and Walton Avenues, business owners in the Warehouse Block are not letting violence define the entertainment district. Chad Walker owns the building and land where El Cid used to be located.
“This is our neighborhood. We’ve already begun renovations inside the space so it can become the future home for another small business to chase their own dreams,” Walker said. “But make no mistake, we’ll never forget what happened here. The victims are in our hearts as they and all of Lexington search for answers.”
El Cid originally moved into the space in March 2021. In June 2023, the most recent owner of El Cid took over the lease. Walker said his company began eviction proceedings in May of this year. On Aug. 7, Walker said a judge ruled eviction proceedings at El Cid was approved and gave the former tenants until Monday, Aug. 13 to get out. Walker said the building was back in his hands Monday morning.
Lexington Police are still searching for clues to help identify a suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call Lexington Police Department at (859) 258-3600. Tips can also be sent in anonymously via Bluegrass Crime Stoppers at (859)253-2020.
The killer of Amaya Sandifer has never been caught. Police are still taking tips on that case as well.