Casablanca Patrons See Manager Shot to Death

The manager of the Club Casablanca was shot and killed at the Brattle Street bar Saturday night.

Cambridge Police said yesterday that they have a suspect in the murder and are presently seeking a warrant for his arrest. They would not name the suspect.

Govert K. van Schaik '62, the manager and a part owner of the Casablanca, was shot during business hours at the club, which is located under the Brattle Theatre. He was pronounced dead there by the Medical Examiner at 10:35 p.m.

The police report stated that a bullet was removed from the upper left portion of his chest.

Members of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation of the Cambridge Police Department said yesterday an altercation occurred between van Schaik and the suspect prior to the shooting.

Police closed the bar as soon as they arrived. They locked up the establishment to prevent patrons from leaving and others from entering. The police officers proceded to search the club for the murderer, whom they believed was still inside. No arrest was made.

At 3 p.m. yesterday, Sergeant Matthew H. McPhelim said. "There are presently no suspects, but we're working on it." He added that "These things can take a while or they can break any second." The Police Department statement that a suspect had been named was made about an hour and a half later.

Witnesses said that they saw van Schaik quarreling with a black man and a white man just before the shooting.

The Casablanca recently became a private club. Private clubs can remain open past 1 a.m., when public bars in Cambridge must close by law.

Cyrus I. Harvey Jr. '47, the major owner of the club, could not be reached for comment on the incident.

The Club Casablanca was closed Saturday night following the incident, and it will remain closed until further notice.