Barry Chvarak

Mass Murderer

Barry Chvarak and the 1980 Starburst Lounge Mass Murder

Overview

On February 3, 1980, at approximately 1:45 a.m., 21-year-old Barry Raymond Chvarak opened fire inside the Starburst Lounge, a country-and-western bar at 5030 Fairbanks Drive in Northeast El Paso, Texas. Armed with a .22-caliber Marlin Model 60 semi-automatic rifle, he killed five people and wounded three others before patrons overpowered him. He later pleaded guilty to five counts of murder with a deadly weapon and received five life sentences. His initial parole eligibility date was February 3, 2000.

Lead-up and Motive

Witness accounts describe an argument shortly before last call about who was the better marksman. Chvarak left for the parking lot, loaded his rifle, and returned to the bar, where he began shooting indiscriminately at patrons. A contemporaneous and later retelling also notes he told his twin brother he was “going to shoot up the place” just before the attack.

Attack and Subdual

Inside the Starburst Lounge, Chvarak fired multiple rounds, striking eight people. Several customers fought back—one grabbed him, another struck him with a pool cue, and others helped restrain him until police arrived—actions credited with preventing further loss of life. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (5)

Randy Wayne Steele 20 yr old Male

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Starburst Lounge mass shooting killed five in 1987 in El Paso bar

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