Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Downtown shooting at Pravda leaves one injured, one arrested

Antonio Beatty (Courtesy NHCSO)

WILMINGTON — A 29-year-old was arrested in a shooting that took place at a downtown nightclub just before 2 a.m. on Sunday, April 14.

Antonio Beatty is being held at the New Hanover County Detention Center without bond for attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, and carrying a concealed weapon.

Officers were downtown and arrived at the scene quickly after hearing gunfire and seeing crowds exit from Pravda. Upon arriving inside the club, law enforcement provided aid to the victim until EMS arrived; he was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. 

Beatty was apprehended after officers engaged in a brief foot chase in his pursuit, according to a press release from WPD.

It’s not Beatty’s first run-in with the law. He was found not guilty in 2022 after being arrested for first-degree murder in connection with a July 2015 shooting that killed 25-year-old Carlton Whitley. Beatty awaited trial for seven years while in jail.

The owners of Pravda posted a response to the incident on social media late afternoon on Sunday:

“Our hearts are heavy after the senseless violent incident that happened inside our business last night at 2am. The safety and well-being of our customers and employees has always been our top priority. We commend our brave security staff who were instrumental in assisting the police in the immediate apprehension and arrest of the suspect and helping our patrons safely exit. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement as they investigate this deplorable event. As details continue to emerge, this appears to be an isolated incident between two individuals. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family. We are shocked and saddened how one persons random heinous act can negatively affect so many people, and we remain extremely dedicated to ensuring the safety of our patrons and our downtown community.”

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information should call the WPD at (910) 343-3609 or to use the Tip 411 app.


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Shea Carver
Shea Carver
Shea Carver is the editor in chief at Port City Daily. A UNCW alumna, Shea worked in the print media business in Wilmington for 22 years before joining the PCD team in October 2020. She specializes in arts coverage — music, film, literature, theatre — the dining scene, and can often be tapped on where to go, what to do and who to see in Wilmington. When she isn’t hanging with her pup, Shadow Wolf, tending the garden or spinning vinyl, she’s attending concerts and live theater.

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