Police said some of the patrons at Boss Hogg's Bar on 23rd Street thought it was a joke when several black males came in wearing masks and gloves early Sunday morning. They were shaken to reality when one member of the group fired a single round from an AK-47 assault rifle into the ceiling.
Tristan Cooper, 29, is due in General Sessions Court next Tuesday on multiple charges in the incident. A 15-year-old and a 14-year-old were also arrested.
Police said after the long gun was fired, the robbers ordered the 17 people inside the bar to the floor.
They went through the group demanding "everything" from the patrons. One of the robbers helped himself to the bar's cash register.
All those inside were then ordered to go into the back and lie down. The robbers then fled.
Police that same day located Cooper at 6205 Walden Ave. Officers could see cellphones taken in the robbery in plain view and they found one of the stolen cellphones when they searched Cooper.
Police then went to Cooper's girlfriend's residence on Sylvan Drive. Leah Menifee gave consent to search the residence. The cash register was located there along with a ski mask and other items related to the holdup.
Police said Cooper would not tell them who else was involved.