Originally published: Dec. 4, 2011, 2:14 p.m.
Updated: Dec. 4, 2011, 7:39 p.m.
CHARLOTTE — Police have charged a woman with murder for a stabbing that left another woman dead in the early morning hours of Dec. 4 outside of Hartigan’s Irish Pub, a local gay and lesbian restaurant and bar in Uptown at 601 S. Cedar St.
Related story: Bar: Allegations of wrongdoing ‘simply not true’
According to police, witnesses say a fight between a group of women began in the establishment’s bathroom. It then continued outside of the bar where the victim, 30-year-old Antoinette Latoya Baker, was stabbed. Officers were called at 2:21 a.m. and found Baker lying unresponsive near the parking lot. She was transported to Carolinas Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.
The suspect, 32-year-old Katie Nicole Robinson, remained on the scene and was transported to police headquarters for questioning, along with several witnesses.
Robinson has been charged with murder. She is being held without bond at the Mecklenburg County jail.
Robinson has several prior arrests, including a June 11 arrest for breaking and entering, and damage and injury to real and personal property. She was also arrested on July 8 for communicating threats, harassing phone calls and injury to personal property. She was again arrested Aug. 6 for assault and injury to personal property.
Police spokesperson Robert Fey did not release information on what triggered the argument between Robinson and Baker but said the two did not previously know each other.
WCNC reports that Robinson stabbed Baker with a bottle in the stomach and neck.
qnotes reached out to Hartigan’s co-owner Jill Phillips but she has yet to return our phone calls.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective Whitworth is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for more updates at qnotescarolinas.com.