Suspect arrested for gunfire outside of Bardstown Road bar

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – Louisville Metro Police have arrested a southern Indiana man in connection with the shooting early Friday outside a Bardstown Road nightspot.

Dwight Mitchell, a LMPD spokesperson, said Sameer Salaimeh of New Albany was the person opened fire on the sidewalk outside Akiko's at 1123 Bardstown Road around 2:30 a.m.

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According to Mitchell, Salaimeh and another man were involved in an altercation inside the bar that moved outside onto the sidewalk. Police said Salaimeh pulled out a semi-automatic handgun and fired three to four rounds near the feet of the other man.

Mitchell said Salaimeh fled from the scene and fired several more rounds which endangered other people around the area. Metro police said Salaimeh ran to the rear of 1117 Bardstown Road and tried to dispose of the handgun, a Kimber .45 semi-automatic, in a trash can. The gun was recovered.

The victim had injuries to both ankles from debris when the rounds hit the ground. He was treated and released at University Hospital.

Salaimeh was booked into Louisville Metro Corrections on charges of assault, wanton endangerment, tampering with physical evidence. He will be arraigned on Saturday morning.

The name of Sameer Salaimeh has been in the news before. In September 2011, Salaimeh was arrested for burning five cars on the lot of Alpha leasing in June of that same year. He was charged with multiple counts of arson in that case. The Commonwealth Attorney's Office tells WAVE 3 that Salaimeh is scheduled for sentencing and restitution hearing in the arson case on August 30.

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