Friends Shot Outside Nightclub

DENVER (AP) -- Someone opened fire outside a nightclub early Sunday, killing one person and wounding seven others, police said. The shooting occurred just after the nightclub, Hush, closed at 2 a.m.,

Sunday, November 4th 2007, 3:15 pm

By: News On 6

DENVER (AP) -- Someone opened fire outside a nightclub early Sunday, killing one person and wounding seven others, police said. The shooting occurred just after the nightclub, Hush, closed at 2 a.m., Police Lt. Ron Saunier said. Police had made no arrests, and did not know of a possible motive.

The victims were among a group of friends that was at the club for about four hours until it closed, said Dale Sasse, a friend of the victims.

Sasse, 22, said he was driving toward the club to pick up his friends when someone from another group outside the club opened fire. Sasse said his cousin, Ted Padilla, 25, was shot at least three times and killed.

Sasse said a "group of thugs began saying mean things to Ted about his jewelry," and that the club's management kicked that group out.

Police did not release the names of the shooting victims.

At the scene of the shooting later Sunday, Steve Mestas said his son, Lyle Mestas, 22, was in serious condition with four bullet wounds.

Four of the victims were hospitalized at the Denver Health Medical Center, two in serious condition and two in fair condition, said hospital spokesman Tony Encinias. It was not immediately clear where the other victims were treated.