A group of masked men opened fire in a cafe in a rough part of town Monday, killing four people and wounding four while customers gambled in a game "possibly involving tens of thousands of dollars," police said.
The intruders reportedly burst into the Glass Key Cafe and yelled "task force" before they began firing automatic weapons.Police spokesman Doug Clarke said there were conflicting reports from witnesses but there apparently were four to six gunmen, some wearing masks and some in camouflage gear.
Police said what had been reported initially as a drive-by shooting was apparently a robbery in the Glass Key, which is a suspected center for illegal gambling. About 15 people were inside at the time of the 7 a.m. shooting.
"It has been known to have gambling and dice games there," Clarke said. "There's also dope dealing in and around the area."
Police Chief Thomas Wyndom said authorities "believe there was a game going on possibly involving tens of thousands of dollars."
Clarke said the cafe and bar is "a large spot in the annals of Fort Worth Police Department."
"It's well-known to police officers who patrol that area," he said.
Clarke said it "was too early to tell" if money was taken in the shooting before the gunmen fled the restaurant and bar, which is located across a freeway from a public housing project east of downtown Fort Worth.