Off duty AlliedUniversal security guard charged with attempted murder in Denny’s shooting
SYRACUSE N.Y. February 5 2019— The man accused of shooting three people inside the Denny’s in Salina this weekend has pleaded not guilty.
Justus Holmes, 24, appeared in Syracuse City Court Monday morning where a judge ordered him held on $100,000 cash bail.
Around 4:00 a.m. Sunday, investigators say Holmes went into the Denny’s on Lawrence Rd. in Salina, armed with a 9 mm handgun in his possession.
Sgt. Jon Seeber says before the shooting took place, Holmes had an argument with the woman who they believe is his ex-girlfriend. That’s when Holmes went to Denny’s confronting the woman and two men who were sitting near each other.
Deputies say he shot 10 rounds, injuring two customers, before running from the restaurant.
“This was a very rapid incident.” Seeber said. “Mr. Holmes went into the restaurant, got in a confrontation with this other male, and then began shooting and it was all done within a matter of minutes.”
A woman who claims she is Holmes’ girlfriend, and not ex-girlfriend, told CNYCentral that she did argue with him, but that didn’t trigger the shooting. She claims the two people Holmes shot were drunk.
Holmes was taken into custody Sunday evening. He’s being charged with attempted murder, assault, menacing and criminal use of a firearm.
In court Monday, prosecutors said Holmes is a security guard at Allied Universal and has a pistol permit. A judge suspended that permit and ordered Holmes to turn over all his weapons.
Victims of the shooting have been identified as:
Jerry Massey, 24, of Mattydale – Sustained gunshots to the back.
Maurice Jones, 32, of North Syracuse – Sustained a gunshot to the hand.
Dillon Porter, 24, of Syracuse – Sustained a gunshot to the arm.
Denny’s reopened Monday morning. The manager at Denny’s told CNYCentral they have turned over surveillance video to investigators.
Holmes is due back in court on Friday.
WSTM
