Quusaa “Q” Margarsa, 25, was found dead inside the restaurant May 9; a 20-year-old man is facing murder charges.
SEATTLE — A Seattle nightclub owner is paying tribute to a friend and loyal regular who was shot and killed at a restaurant last week.
Amir Azer is renaming Xtadium Lounge this weekend and dedicating events to the memory of Quusaa “Q” Margarsa.
“Q was really important to Xtadium,” Azer said. “He was part of it like I can’t explain… the energy he brought to the room. Everyone loved him.”
Beginning Friday, the lounge in Pioneer Square will temporarily operate as “Q-tadium” in Margarsa’s honor.
“Changing it this week to show love for Q, to pay tribute and respect. The same respect he had for us,” said Azer.
Margarsa, 25, was found dead the morning of May 9 inside the Growler Guys restaurant near Lake City Way, where he was also an employee.
According to court documents filed Tuesday, detectives believe Margarsa met the suspect, 20-year-old Lucas Logan, and a woman earlier that night at Lava Hookah Lounge in north Seattle before inviting them back to Growler Guys after the business closed.
Lucas later turned himself in through an attorney after investigators identified him through surveillance video and witness statements.
As the legal process plays out, Azer is focused on remembering his friend.
“Losing Q is a big loss for us. His energy was just full of life. He’d attract you by his energy,” he said.
The club is located in the part of Pioneer Square that has been hit especially hard by late-night violence, prompting the Seattle Police Department to increase patrols in the area.
Azer has previously spoken out against the violence and has worked with members of City Council to frame legislation to address the issues.
“We need to, as a community, come together and figure out a way to combat gun violence [and] get guns off the streets. There are way too many kids running around with guns.”
Friends described Margarsa as the emotional center of his friend groups and someone who made people feel welcomed wherever he went. A lifelong Seattle resident, he attended Nathan Hale High School and was part of the school’s nationally recognized 2016-17 basketball team.
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