Good Vibes Bar and Grill in Richardson has reopened its doors just two days after a tragic stabbing incident that left four patrons injured. The bar’s staff and regulars have rallied together to support the victims in their recovery.
On Friday, the establishment resumed operations following the violent attack that occurred on Wednesday night, when a man wielding a knife injured multiple individuals. In a show of solidarity, employees and patrons have set up GoFundMe campaigns for the victims and are selling T-shirts, with all proceeds directed towards aiding their recovery.
The assailant, identified as 28-year-old Stephen Kwembe, reportedly expressed intentions to harm others before being shot and killed by responding law enforcement. A sign at the bar now features QR codes that allow visitors to contribute directly to the victims’ fundraising efforts.
“It’s tragic because these people didn’t deserve any of this,” said Daniel Latham, a karaoke host at the bar. “I want them to see how much they’re loved and appreciated.” Fellow patrons echoed his sentiments, expressing disbelief over the violent act. Nico Otero, the bar’s manager, confirmed that all three male victims are regulars at the venue.
The victims have been named as Harold Stemper, Reuben Blackwell, and Garrett Ledger, with a fourth individual, a bartender known as Felicia, or Fefe, also among the injured. Otero emphasized the bravery of the three men, who risked their safety to help Fefe and others during the attack.
In an effort to assist with their medical expenses, Otero has initiated GoFundMe pages for the victims, while Latham’s T-shirt sales aim to alleviate their financial burdens. “We are doing everything we can to ensure they can focus solely on their recovery with their families,” he stated.
The stabbing incident unfolded around 10 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting multiple calls to the Richardson Police Department regarding a man threatening patrons with a knife. Upon arrival, officers found Kwembe outside the restaurant, who refused to comply with their commands to drop the weapon and instead advanced towards them, leading to the officers firing their weapons in self-defense.
Body camera footage revealed Kwembe’s distressing declaration of wanting to die before he approached the officers armed with the knife. Following the attack, all four victims were transported to a local hospital, where they were reported to be in the Intensive Care Unit as of Thursday evening, having sustained injuries while trying to protect others.
Earlier that day, it was reported that Kwembe had attempted to retrieve a firearm that had been confiscated by police due to drug-related charges. He later made a non-emergency call to the Garland Police Department, threatening violence at Good Vibes Bar and Grill.
For those looking to support the victims, links to their individual GoFundMe pages can be found below:
