[Dixielandjazz] Go armed when gigging in Sacramento

[Stephen G Barbone]

Hey Bob Ringwald. Do you have a carry permit? Sounds like Sacto is a  
tough place to gig. Or maybe it was just the cat statue? <grin>
Cheers,Steve Barbonewww.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband

Oct 16, 2010 10:52 pm US/Pacific
  Police: Band Leader Opened Fire On Attackers - Shots Fired At  
Downtown Sac Restaurant

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ― A band leader shot at two men who were allegedly  
assaulting him and other men during their performance at a downtown  
Sacramento restaurant Saturday night, leaving one suspect wounded,  
according to police.

The Sacramento Police Department says a three-piece jazz band was  
playing on the patio of the Broiler Steakhouse at 12th Street and K  
Street when two suspects repeatedly touched one of the band's props, a  
human-sized cat statue.

When the band leader stopped the performance and asked the men to  
leave, the suspects grew belligerent, authorities said. A nearby  
homeless man also told the two men to leave the band alone, but the  
suspects allegedly attacked and began beating the man.

The band leader, Jim Phillips, told police he told audience members to  
call authorities as the assault continued. A waiter who tried to  
intercede in the fight was knocked unconscious, and the two suspects  
allegedly turned to Phillips and attacked him.

Phillips was assaulted before he was able to pull out a firearm and  
discharge multiple shots, striking one of the men in the upper chest.

The wounded suspect was rushed to the hospital and is expected to  
survive.

Sacramento Police spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong said Phillips is unlikely  
to face any charges, since he acted in self-defense, but the case has  
been passed on to the district attorney's office.

The two suspects will likely face charges of assault, police said.

The homeless man who was attacked was not seriously wounded.