Downtown Atlanta nightclub permanently shut down after deadly shootings

ATLANTA – An embattled Atlanta nightclub has completely closed its doorways after a string of shootings and greater than 100 police calls.

Encore Hookah Bar and Bistro introduced the closure on Instagram after a lawsuit from town and an impending eviction as a result of violence. Its ultimate night time of enterprise was Sunday. 

“They’ll shut our doorways, however they will’t take our reminiscences,” the lounge’s publish says. “In the event you haven’t heard, after a protracted battle with the powers that be, [Encore] is closing for good. Don’t fear, although, I’ll be again and higher.”

Atlanta police mentioned that they had been known as to the institution 171 occasions within the final two years. 

Amongst those that misplaced their lives on the membership was 28-year-old Ty Ross, certainly one of its safety guards. Police mentioned 21-year-old Damon Wilson shot Ross after Wilson was ejected from the membership. 

Ever since Ross’ girlfriend Aaliyah Robust has been on a mission to see the bar closed, and nightclub violence in Atlanta addressed. 

“It began with an Encore, however it received’t finish with Encore,” she mentioned. “I really feel like now town is lastly realizing that this actually is an issue.”

When FOX 5 cameras confirmed up on Monday night, the place was already being ripped aside. Trash and bartending utensils had been tossed close to the doorway and the dumpster was overflowing. 

Now that it’s closed, Robust is shifting her focus to stopping nightclub gun violence all through Atlanta.. 

“It’s about each single place that’s within the metropolis that’s operating with out insurance coverage or not correctly defending their staff,” she mentioned.

Mayor Andre Dickens vowed to deal with the problems with what he known as a “Nightlife Division.” 

A spokesperson for Dickens mentioned over the weekend, town held its first-ever coaching day workshop for golf equipment geared towards security.

However Robust needs to take it additional, with a brand new state legislation. 

“The invoice I need to go is particularly for safety groups, and golf equipment and lounges,” Robust mentioned. “It’s to make sure that they’ve the correct insurance coverage, the correct coaching, and issues like that for his or her staff.”

She mentioned she’s additionally engaged on launching a corporation to advocate for nightlife employee security and supply help for victims’ households.

Already, Robust mentioned the household of one other safety guard that was shot and killed on the job has already reached out. 

“I really feel like that is simply part of justice, however now we have a protracted, lengthy approach to go,” Robust mentioned.