Man paralyzed after shooting outside Lincoln Bar thought he ‘wasn’t going to make it’

A man who survived a shooting outside Lincoln Bar on Washington Avenue nearly two weeks ago revealed that he is now paralyzed from the stomach down. According to Houston police, he is one of four victims who were struck by gunfire.

The incident allegedly began when two men engaged in a confrontation inside the bar and were subsequently ejected by security around 11:30 p.m. on March 2. Upon entering a black SUV, an individual from the vehicle purportedly began firing towards the entrance.

At the time of the incident, two off-duty deputies from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office were present, working extra jobs as security. The Houston Police Department stated that they refrained from returning fire due to the risk of injuring bystanders amidst the large crowd.

Darien Mann, who was not involved in the altercation, found himself caught in the gunfire. He recounted standing in line with two friends, awaiting entry to Lincoln Bar, when the first shot rang out. Mann described feeling a sharp pain in his chest before collapsing to the ground.

Speaking exclusively to  from his ICU bed at Ben Taub Hospital via video call, Mann shared his harrowing experience. He recalled a moment of panic as he felt as though his life was slipping away due to excessive blood loss.

Jonathan Doze, one of Mann’s companions that night, escaped unharmed but remained focused on keeping his friend alive amidst the chaos.

Upon regaining consciousness in the hospital, Mann received devastating news: the bullet had struck his spinal cord, resulting in paralysis from the waist down. At 29 years old and a father to an 8-year-old daughter, Mann’s livelihood as a mortician, which heavily relied on physical labor, was abruptly shattered.

Expressing his desire for justice, Mann emphasized the need for those responsible to be apprehended and held accountable. He lamented the prevalence of gun violence in Houston, urging for an end to senseless shootings.

While acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead in his recovery journey, Doze expressed gratitude for Mann’s survival and emphasized the importance of cherishing life despite the obstacles.

A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to assist Mann with medical expenses.

Houston police confirmed that no suspects have been arrested in connection with the case but are actively pursuing leads in the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact HPD’s Homicide Division or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.