It was supposed to be his night to shine. Lawrence Mates, known to friends as "Superman," spent weeks promoting Saturday night’s party at Swizzle Stix, handing out flyers, inviting his buddies and even working the door. The club's manager said he never imagined it'd be Mates' last night alive.
Police said Andre West shot Mates in the head around 2 a.m. after the bouncer of three years kicked one of West’s friend out of the club.
Mates, 27, died at Saint Mary's Hospital. Monday morning, a Waterbury police cruiser remained outside the club. Friends have set up two memorials of candles, roses and a balloon that says "We miss you."
Melba Rentas, of Waterbury, the mother of Mates' two daughters, was one of the first to find out about his death.
"It was really rough for them at first but when we got home I talked to them and told them everything is going to be all right and were going to get through this," Rentas said.
Now police are turning their attention to finding West. They say the 18-year-old from Meriden fled the scene after pulling the trigger. They’ve issued an arrest warrant and are charging him with murder. Police ask anyone with information on his whereabouts to come forward.
Mates' friends posted rest in peace messages on his Myspace page. The manager at Swizzle Stix doesn’t plan on closing and said the club has become a meeting spot for the many people who loved Mates.
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Anyone with information about West's whereabouts is asked to call Waterbury Crimestoppers at 203-755-1234.
