Customers restrain gunman at Colorado Springs bar

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Customers at Woody's Bar and Grill in Colorado Springs were able to restrain a gunman Saturday evening until police arrived.

A witness says customers called a cab around 7:30 p.m. for the man -- later identified as Colby Smith -- to leave the bar. Although Smith went out to greet the cab, witnesses say he came back into the bar and opened fire before another customer tackled him.

Sergeant Jason Newton says officers arrived within minutes and found several patrons holding the suspect down.

"No one was injured and our evidence confirms that he was firing shots up into the air, into the ceiling of the bar," Newton said.

Patrons told police that Smith had been drinking earlier at the bar.

"We never tell citizens to go tackle people, but the citizens were in the right spot at the right time and they made a decision that probably saved lives and probably even saved the suspect's life," Newton said.

Jackie Porter, the manager for Woody's Bar and Grill, says she's grateful nobody was hurt during the incident.

"I thank the customers that stepped in to help," she said. "This was out of the ordinary."

Porter said that the suspect was not a frequent customer but she knew he was part of the military and had a family.

"I hope he gets the help he needs," Porter said.

CSPD says 27-year-old Smith was arrested on felony charges of menacing, illegal discharge of a weapon and prohibited use of a weapon.

Woody's Bar and Grill was closed Tuesday for maintenance repairs but will be open again Wednesday during regular hours, Porter said.