Police are still investigating exactly what led to that shoot-out around 3:30 a.m. Monday outside a bar in Mount Pocono.
Late Monday police identified the victims as Eric Williams of East Stroudsburg and Greg Cousar of Mountain Pocono. Williams is in serious condition at Pocono Medical Center and Cousar is in serious condition at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital.
Police said the shooting happened as the Copa Bar and Grille off Route 611 was closing after a birthday party.
For most of Monday police investigated the shoot-out in downtown Mount Pocono.
Police found a sea of shell casings outside the Copa Bar and Grille.
The bullets also took out two car windows plus a window at the bar.
A few shots made their way into the outside of an insurance company.
"Where the shots were on the other side of the wall my employee normally sits so I was a little worried," said State Farm agent Beth Moloughney.
Officers descended on the scene about 3 a.m. after the shooting, scouring the street looking for clues.
Police are investigating what started a fight outside the bar that led to the gun battle.
They do know there was more than one shooter.
The victims were taken to hospitals by their friends.
Police said nearly two dozen shots were fired outside the Copa Bar and Grille. The bar is located in a very busy section of Mount Pocono. The street where the shooting happened is lined with businesses. The bar is also located across the street from Momma D's Daycare. The owner is especially concerned because her business is open all hours of the day.
"We are very worried because we have very late hours, extended hours Monday through Friday and there are many nights we're here until 2:30 a.m., 3 a.m.," said Dorine Pinkney of Mamma D's Daycare. She cares for infants, toddlers and pre-teens, many times early in the morning or late at night for her customers who work in Manhattan. "With the gunshots all over the place something could have come through the window. I have plenty of children here I have to guard at all costs."
There is another day care center just across Fork Street, facing Route 611. The owner of Noah's Ark said she smelled trouble coming from the Copa Bar and Grille.
"The crowd there has been a little outrageous every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It's been clubbin' up there til 3 a. m. and there's a lot of violence and things going on there haven't been in the past," said Keynanna Williams of Noah's Ark.Police are not sure what led to the argument that ended with Monday morning's shoot-out.
Noah's Ark closes at 7 p.m. and the issues at the Copa have been late at night and early in the morning. Still, Williams worries about safety.
The same goes for April Franks, a parent of four and a woman who takes her children to Noah's Ark.
"I left the New York, the Bronx, to get away from this and it's here so it really sets in that it's everywhere, I guess," said Franks.
While she is concerned, she will continue to send her children to Noah's Ark.
While there is the physical danger, there is also a financial danger. Williams said her day care business has been increasing. A bad neighbor could put an end to her success. She wonders what parents will think.
"I don't want them pulling up thinking, I'm not bringing my kids in. I'm going to lose my clientele if it's not in order," Williams added.
Police in Mount Pocono said they have been working with the bar's owner to make sure his bar is run properly, and police add whatever happened there Monday morning started in the street, and not in the bar.
Police said they are interviewing witnesses, and they have some persons of interest in the case. The two hurt are recovering from gunshot wounds.
So far no one has been arrested.
