2nd Person Charged In Groton Hookah Lounge Shooting: Police

GROTON, CT — Police have arrested another man accused of involvement in a shooting at a Groton hookah lounge last month. Avery Gathers-Bethea, 25, of New London turned himself in to police Wednesday.

Police were patrolling the area near the hookah lounge at 3:25 a.m. on May 7 when they heard gunfire.

Officers arrived at the 403 Pleasant Valley Road South business to find several people fleeing to their vehicles and leaving the scene.

An investigation found that a fight broke out inside the establishment and continued outside. Several people exchanged gunfire in the parking lot with no fewer than two dozen rounds fired.

Investigators contacted area hospitals but did not learn of anybody who may have been injured in the shooting incident.

Police later identified several suspects involved in the shooting.

Gathers-Bethea was charged with first-degree criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault with a firearm, illegal discharge of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit, and first-degree reckless endangerment. He was held on $100,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in New London Superior Court on Thursday.

Jeremy Dixon, 33, of New London was charged earlier this week with first-degree criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault with a firearm, illegal discharge of a firearm, and first-degree reckless endangerment. He was held on $100,000 bond.

The hookah lounge has been the site of multiple crimes in the past. Some of the incidents include a man being charged in 2022 with a 2020 shooting at the establishment and previous reports of gunfire.

Anyone with information on the case can call Groton police at 860-441-6712.