So I'm a little distraught about some news here locally today.
Yesterday at 5:00 pm at Diamond Billiards here in Cape Coral Florida, there was a deadly "accident". I play at Diamonds about half of my time. We have 5 pool halls here in SWFL and Diamonds is definitely the premier place to play.
Details are a bit rough but apparently a 75 year old man was kicked out for hitting on a young server as he was acing inappropriately (probably a creeper). He went outside and drove his Ford F-250 through the front window through the pool hall and pinned 2 people down between the bar and his truck with all the debris. I've been told he told the police "he did it out of revenge". I HAVE TO SAY IT IS MORE THAN 60 FEET TO THE BACK OF THE BUILDING AND HE WENT ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO THE FAR WALL.
They had to extract the two pinned people out and they are in critical condition and two more in stable condition. One of the victims so happens to be the Ron Gravel, he was the cook at Diamonds and a LONG time player and fan of the sport. A super nice guy I just met a few weeks ago and had a conversation with about Brunswick Centennials which I happened to have in my truck. We hit them around and weighed them and agreed they were great. I didn't even know he played and that he was a walking billiards encyclopedia. Great guy.
Ron didn't make it and sadly he passed away in surgery shortly after... RIP Ron Gravel. ***SEE BELOW HOW TO HELP***
There are three "money tables" right there in the front (9 ft Diamond Pro Ams) and that's usually where everyone sits and watches or just chats all day if not playing.
Apparently Justin Hall was racking at the table right where the truck came through (see photo below) and was clipped but he is fine. If two packages hadn't been delivered by the post office I would have been there and likely would have been right there. I had all intentions of going.
There is a GoFundMe account setup for Ron's family and his funeral expenses, if you feel you could give anything, please do. Even $1.00 helps. I donated $100 on behalf of Billiard Bill's, my business.
www.gofundme.com/rongravel
The news story link is below as well.
http://www.nbc-2.com/…/three-injured...e-plows-throu…
James, one of the the owners of Diamonds just called and said that the guy had grabbed a female customers chest and the server told him that he needed to leave and the police said he was going 55 MPH when he hit the window. They ONLY served him 2 beers before he got kicked out but he had a plethora of empty beer cans in his truck.
We both agreed it is amazing there was ONLY 12 people inside when there may be 8 people right there normally alone.
He called to say thank you for posting the link for the GoFundMe info for Ron to everyone that has helped. They have seen donations from anonymous, from players, cuemakers, friends, family and people that have never even been to the state of Florida and they are VERY thankful for all of the support throughout the local community as well as the online billiards community.
Ron does have two kids, and a wife here that he unfortunately left so unexpectedly. Any help is greatly appreciated from all.
http://www.gofundme.com/rongravel
http://www.news-press.com/story/new...-billiards-1242-sw-pine-island-road/30438705/
Yesterday at 5:00 pm at Diamond Billiards here in Cape Coral Florida, there was a deadly "accident". I play at Diamonds about half of my time. We have 5 pool halls here in SWFL and Diamonds is definitely the premier place to play.
Details are a bit rough but apparently a 75 year old man was kicked out for hitting on a young server as he was acing inappropriately (probably a creeper). He went outside and drove his Ford F-250 through the front window through the pool hall and pinned 2 people down between the bar and his truck with all the debris. I've been told he told the police "he did it out of revenge". I HAVE TO SAY IT IS MORE THAN 60 FEET TO THE BACK OF THE BUILDING AND HE WENT ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO THE FAR WALL.
They had to extract the two pinned people out and they are in critical condition and two more in stable condition. One of the victims so happens to be the Ron Gravel, he was the cook at Diamonds and a LONG time player and fan of the sport. A super nice guy I just met a few weeks ago and had a conversation with about Brunswick Centennials which I happened to have in my truck. We hit them around and weighed them and agreed they were great. I didn't even know he played and that he was a walking billiards encyclopedia. Great guy.
Ron didn't make it and sadly he passed away in surgery shortly after... RIP Ron Gravel. ***SEE BELOW HOW TO HELP***
There are three "money tables" right there in the front (9 ft Diamond Pro Ams) and that's usually where everyone sits and watches or just chats all day if not playing.
Apparently Justin Hall was racking at the table right where the truck came through (see photo below) and was clipped but he is fine. If two packages hadn't been delivered by the post office I would have been there and likely would have been right there. I had all intentions of going.
There is a GoFundMe account setup for Ron's family and his funeral expenses, if you feel you could give anything, please do. Even $1.00 helps. I donated $100 on behalf of Billiard Bill's, my business.
www.gofundme.com/rongravel
The news story link is below as well.
http://www.nbc-2.com/…/three-injured...e-plows-throu…
James, one of the the owners of Diamonds just called and said that the guy had grabbed a female customers chest and the server told him that he needed to leave and the police said he was going 55 MPH when he hit the window. They ONLY served him 2 beers before he got kicked out but he had a plethora of empty beer cans in his truck.
We both agreed it is amazing there was ONLY 12 people inside when there may be 8 people right there normally alone.
He called to say thank you for posting the link for the GoFundMe info for Ron to everyone that has helped. They have seen donations from anonymous, from players, cuemakers, friends, family and people that have never even been to the state of Florida and they are VERY thankful for all of the support throughout the local community as well as the online billiards community.
Ron does have two kids, and a wife here that he unfortunately left so unexpectedly. Any help is greatly appreciated from all.
http://www.gofundme.com/rongravel
http://www.news-press.com/story/new...-billiards-1242-sw-pine-island-road/30438705/
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