Overstreet’s sister, Darlene Overstreet, said her brother oftenvisited the Backstreet Cafe. He did not have a record in Roanoke, Alley said.
Gay is named in a Citrus County warrant accusing him oftrespassing in July and an injunction against domestic violence,both misdemeanors. He was carrying identification listing a home address in CitrusSprings, Fla., but Alley said he had been living at various Roanokeaddresses for about a year, including a campground and a motel afew blocks from the bar. He probably got picked on andpicked on as a kid,” he said.Īlley said Gay had confirmed the witness reports and admittedduring questioning that he wanted to shoot gay people but gave nomotive. “I think thisguy had a problem with his name. Larry Payne, co-owner of a gay and lesbian book and gift shop afew blocks from the bar, said there had not been any growingtension or acts of violence against gays in Roanoke. Members of the Washington-based National Gay and Lesbian TaskForce came to Roanoke for a candlelight vigil Saturday night.Outside the Backstreet Cafe, flowers, cards and balloons were leftby members of the community. The shooting came one week after members of Roanoke’s gay andlesbian community held a gay pride festival. In September 2000, an anti-gay shooting at the Backstreet Caf on Salem. She said policefound a 9 mm pistol in a trash can near the bar. Both organizations advocated against the harassment of gay men by bar owners and. Officers found Gay walking down a street about two blocks fromthe Backstreet Cafe and arrested him, Alley said. A Gay Bar in Roanoke (Virginia) can be the perfect location to meet new individuals with the same preferences as you but you also can have fun with your good friends. One person gave the man directions and then called police, whoarrived at the Backstreet Cafe shortly after the shooting. Most club & pubs, gay bars range by means of size from tiny, 5-seat bars, big, multi-story clubs with various distinct locations & much more than one dance floor.