Three Shot Outside Bar in Orange; Motive a Mystery

Three men were shot outside an Orange bar early Saturday by a man police say could be armed with a military-type rifle.

All three victims were taken to local hospitals, with injuries to the arms, hands and legs that did not appear life-threatening, said Orange Police Capt. Art Romo.

Police say Orange resident Charles Lynwood Cherry, 34, walked up to a group of six men outside the Locker Room Bar about 2:26 a.m., and without warning, shot three of them with a small-caliber handgun.

Police believe Cherry may also have a rifle, Romo said.

Cherry had been at the bar earlier in the day, Romo said. The men were in the parking lot when Cherry allegedly got out of his car and approached them.

Detectives say the men did not appear to recognize Cherry, the captain said.

“Obviously, something happened to trigger this, but the motive is unclear,” Romo said.

Police declined to identify the victims or what hospitals they were taken to.

Cherry left in a silver-green 2000 Dodge Intrepid, license plate 4KMF897. He is described as white, about 5 feet 9, 190 pounds, with a shaved head and a 6-inch scar on the left side of his forehead. He was wearing a Hawaiian print shirt.

Anyone with information about Cherry’s whereabouts is asked to call Orange police at (714) 744-7444.