Strip Club Shooting in Valley Takes Life of Thomas Valdez, 30: Club Employee Allegedly Flees With Murder Suspect
A strip club patron was fatally shot over the weekend, police said.
VIP Showgirls.
It happened about 10 p.m. Friday Saturday inside VIP Showgirls Gentlemen's Club at 12147 Victory Blvd. in North Hollywood's struggling Valley Plaza shopping center, according to the LAPD.
It's not clear what set off an argument between two men at the club, but one of the club's female "employees" allegedly ended up fleeing with the suspected shooter, and both were found in a nearby park, cops say.
Police allege the man who pulled the trigger at the club after a fight broke out was 30-year-old Forte Ramonta of North Hollywood. His girlfriend was ID'd as 22-year-old Anna Baez.
The victim, 30-year-old Thomas Valdez of Santa Clarita, was declared dead at the scene, according to an LAPD statement. Cops said he was shot "multiple" times.
Ramonta was booked on suspicion of murder and jailed in lieu of $1 million. The employee was booked on suspicion of being an accessory to murder and was jailed with half a million bail over her head.
The club's website describes the venue as "a bit of Vegas in the heart of the San Fernando valley."
Police are still looking for witnesses and want anyone who might have information about the shooting to call detectives at 818-623-4075.
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