Illinois Supreme Court rules nightclub responsible in deadly stampede www.privateofficer.com

CHICAGO IL April 5 2013 — In a reversal of an appellate court’s decision, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled Thursday that two nightclub owners violated orders not to occupy the second floor of a building where 21 people were trampled to death in 2003.
Security guards released pepper spray into a crowd to break up a fight on the dance floor of nightclub E2, 2347 S. Michigan Ave. on Feb. 17, 2003. In the panic that ensued as patrons tried to escape, 21 people were trampled and another 50 injured.
E2 owners Calvin Hollins Jr., and Dwain Kyles were charged with indirect criminal contempt for violating a building court’s 2002 orders to leave the second floor of the building unoccupied.
In a jury trial, Hollins and Kyles argued the ruling was unclear, and that they believed only certain sections of the second floor, like a mezzanine and VIP area, were not to be used, according to a summary of the ruling.
Hollins and Kyles were initially found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison.
Hollins and Kyles appealed, arguing that the court made several errors during the trial. The appellate court did not address the alleged trial errors but ruled that Hollins and Kyles were not proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
In a unanimous ruling, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed the decision that threw out the charges against Hollins and Kyles, and sent the case back to the appellate court to consider the alleged trail errors.
In his summary of the ruling, Justice Lloyd Karameier said the appellate court “erred” when reversing the decision, and said “a rational jury could have found that they were fully aware of what the building court’s orders prohibited and willfully disobeyed the orders.”

Off-duty Phoenix police officers involved in nightclub shooting www.privateofficer.com

Phoenix AZ April 5 2013
A shooting involving an off-duty police officer outside a northwest Phoenix night club left a suspect dead and another critically injured.
The shooting left the suspect driver – 24-year-old Tomas G. Ramirez Gonzalez – dead and a 28-year-old suspect, Adrian De La Cruz, critically wounded. No one else was hurt.
Another suspect, Jose Chacon, 19, was booked into jail after police said he admitted to shooting a rifle during the incident. He faces a charge of first-degree murder during the commission of a crime.
Two Phoenix police officers were working off-duty as security at Hurricane Bay in the area of 4100 W. Bell Rd. One of the officers left at about 2 a.m. after the business closed. The second officer, Gary Schonfelder, stayed to provide security for the remaining two employees.
Shortly after 4 a.m., the manager and an employee left the club with Schonfelder, who is a 20-year veteran with the department. The officer had removed his uniform shirt and was wearing a black T-shirt, uniform pants and boots, according to Phoenix police spokesman Sgt. Tommy Thompson.
They saw two suspects in the bed of the officer’s pickup truck trying to remove a small refrigerator that Schonfelder had purchased from the bar manager, Thompson said. The truck was parked near the front door. The two suspects fled to a SUV, which was parked a short distance from the pickup truck, and climbed in, Thompson said.
Schonfelder and the two employees of the night club ran toward the vehicle, where they saw two suspects on the passenger side and the driver pointing guns at them, Thompson said.
Schonfelder, who was armed with his service handgun, gave several commands for them to drop their weapons and identified himself as a police officer, Thompson said.
The car started to back up and the suspects continued to point their weapons at Schonfelder and night club employees. As a result of the imminent deadly threat to himself and the other two men, Schonfelder fired multiple rounds at the suspects, Thompson said.
Hearing the gunfire, bar employee Fidencio Martinez, who also had a handgun, fired at the suspects, Thompson said. The manager, who was unarmed, called 911.
Gonzalez placed the vehicle in park, got out and collapsed a short distance from the vehicle. Schonfelder ordered the other two suspects of the vehicle to get out and get on the ground, Thompson said. They complied and responding officers assisted with taking the suspects into custody.
During a police interview, Chacon said Gonzalez had asked him and his brother, De La Cruz, to go with him to the bar to confront a person who owed him money. They had planned to drive the person to an ATM to get the cash, Chacon told police.
While waiting for the person to emerge from the bar, Chacon said they noticed Schonfeld and Martinez loading the refrigerator in the truck. Chacon said Gonzalez then decided to steal the refrigerator, which ultimately led to the shooting.

Source: CBS 5

Man Gets Year In Prison For Shooting At Bouncer www.privateofficer.com

MINNEAPOLIS MN April 3 2013– A 34-year-old New Germany man will spend a year in jail for firing a gun at a bouncer after being kicked out of a Waconia bar in January of 2011.

Michael Gregory Peterson pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree attempted unintentional murder and second-degree assault with a firearm in connection with the Jan. 16, 2011, incident. According to the charges, Peterson was at Hopper’s Bar in Waconia that morning and had been kicked out of the bar for disorderly conduct. Peterson then showed a pistol and fired several shots at a bouncer at the bar.

Nobody was hurt in the incident, where about 100 people were in the bar when it happened. Peterson then left the bar, returned later and was tackled by several patrons. Peterson will spend a year in the Carver County Jail and also must serve seven years probation.

Under the terms of the probation, Peterson must not use alcohol, tobacco or mood-altering chemicals. He also can’t possess a firearm and is subject to random drug testing. Peterson must undergo a psychological evaluation and write a letter of apology to the bouncer and the community.
Source: WCCO

Three dead, one critical after shooting outside Auburn tavern www.privateofficer.com

AUBURN Wash April 1 2013– Three people are dead following a shooting outside a bar early Sunday in Auburn.

Witnesses say this all started after a woman became jealous that another was dancing with her boyfriend.

Police say just before 2 a.m. a fight broke out outside the Sports Page Tavern. At one point, several people pulled handguns and several shots were fired. Lorenzo Duncan and two other men, 25-year old Nick Lindsay and 21-year-old Antuan Greer, were targets.

They were pronounced dead at the scene, a fourth person was transported to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds

. Auburn Police Cmdr. Mike Hirman said some of the victims and suspects knew each other. Police say two cars that witnesses said left the scene are in custody.

One car was found in Kent, the other in Federal Way.

The car found in Federal Way has bullets in it. One person of interest has been detained.

De’sha Timmerman says her brother Lorenzo didn’t deserve this. “Kids can’t go out and come and be home and be safe, and have disagreements without shooting,” she said.
Source: King 5

Police charge Virginia man in shooting death of security officer www.privateofficer.com

Spotsylvania County VA April 1 2013 Lavon Chew, 26, of Spotsylvania County was arrested in connection with Saturday’s early morning drive-by shooting death at a Fredericksburg night spot.

Chew is charged with use of a firearm during commission of a felony and felony firing from an occupied vehicle, Capt. Jeff Pearce, Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, said. It is not clear whether Chew is the shooter who killed the victim.

  “Chew has not been charged with homicide at this point, because there are additional persons of interest who were in the vehicle with him,” Pearce said. There were two different groups involved in an altercation at the Q-Ball Cafe.

Witnesses told police a fight broke out inside the club. One group was ejected and become involved in another altercation in the parking lot at about 12:45 a.m., according to police. A short time later, subjects drove by and fired shots at the front of the club.

A club security guard was standing at the entrance and was hit by a bullet, Natatia Bledsoe, City of Fredericksburg Police spokesperson, said.  “Fredericksburg police arrived first on the scene, and Officer Joe Young performed CPR until rescue units arrived,” Bledsoe said.

The victim was identified as Marcellus “Bull” Greene, Sr., in his mid 40s, according to Pearce.  The Culpeper County High School graduate played defensive end and offensive tackle for the Prince William Monarchs, a semi-professional football league, according to the Star Exponent.

  He was named an MVP in the North American Bowl’s United States Football Association’s National Championship in 2008. Monarchs Head Coach Ray Scott told the Star Exponent that he and Greene spoke on the phone almost daily, and that he felt “like I lost a son.

” “He cared about his family first and foremost,” longtime friend and Monarchs teammate Justin Maymi told the Star Exponent. “And he did anything he could to provide for them. That’s the whole reason he was bouncing and detailing cars for the extra money to make ends meet.” The investigation is ongoing.

“We’ve been working around the clock, following up on evidence from the scene and on tips we’re receiving,” Pearce said.

Anyone with information in the case should call the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office  at 540-582-7115, or Crime Solvers at 800-928-5822 or 540-582-5822.

You can also leave a tip anonymously at Web Tips; or text a tip using: SEE911 to CRIMES (274637).

MI. club security guard stabbed early Saturday www.privateofficer.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI April 1 2013— A security guard at the Tequila Nightclub is recovering from non life-threatening injuries after police say he was stabbed just before 2 a.m. Saturday.

Police were called to the club, 725 South Division Ave., at 1:51 a.m. March 30 on a report of the stabbing.
A male suspect had already fled the scene. He was not located by authorities.
The guard’s injuries were not considered life-threatening. It was not clear whether the suspect had been a patron of the club, Grand Rapids Police Lt. Jim Baumgart said. Baumgart did not know the circumstances behind the stabbing.
There was no answer to a call placed to the nightclub — located just north of Franklin Street — late Saturday afternoon.

Four injured during Cherry Hill nightclub fight www.privateofficer.com

Cherry Hill NJ April 1 2013 Police say four people were injured and a security guard was punched after a fight on a dance floor at the Top Dog nightclub in Cherry Hill erupted into a brawl.

The fight broke out just after 2 a.m. at the nightclub’s second floor dance floor Sunday morning. Police say security was in the area when the fight started and attempted to break it up, but it erupted further when other people got involved.

A security guard who was trying to break up the fight was stabbed in the leg, police said.

Bouncers were able to stop the fight, but that’s when they learned the man who stabbed the security guard had also stabbed three other people during the fight.

Police say in addition, another security guard was punched and suffered broken ribs during the fight.

The stabbing victims were taken to Lourdes Hospital in Willingboro, where they were treated and released for their injuries.

The security guard was taken to Cooper Hospital in Camden and was later released. Police say the suspect, 32-year-old Daniel Skillings, faces Aggravated Assault and other related charges.

Police charge men in assault on nightclub security www.privateofficer.com

Greenfield WI March 31 2013 An incident in the parking lot of Mad Dog Saloon, 4395 S. 76th St., could have been a lot worse after police say one man pulled out a knife March 16. According to court documents, Jason Stachowiak, a 23-year-old Milwaukee man, was told by the bar’s bouncer he had to leave because he was giving some woman at the bar a hard time. Stachowiak’s friend, Jose Aviles, a 24-year-old Milwaukee resident, followed his friend and two bouncers out of the bar and punched one of the bouncers.

When another bouncer came over to help his colleague, Aviles struck him in the side of the head two, according to the complaint.

The second bouncer then grabbed Aviles and threw him to the ground. By then, Stachowiak had gone into his car and pulled out a five- to six-inch steak knife and began wielding it, the complaint said.

The bouncer told police that had he been closer to Stachowiak, he believed he would have been stabbed.

Aviles and Stachowiak were subsequently arrested. On March 23, Stachowiak was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct – use of a dangerous weapon. He faces a maximum of 7 ½ months of imprisonment. Aviles was charged with misdemeanor battery and faces a maximum of 9 months of imprisonment.

Grand Rapids nightclub security officer stabbed www.privateofficer.com

GRAND RAPIDS March 31 2013- Police are looking for the suspect who stabbed a security guard at a Grand Rapids bar Saturday morning.

Police got the call just before 2 a.m. from the Tequila Night Club located at 725 S. Division.

The security guard was treated at the scene, and no one else was injured.

Police are looking for the man, who witnesses say is a 5’11 black or Hispanic male, weighing 290 pounds.

He is described as being bald with a goatee. Source: WZZM

Spotsylvania Va. nightclub security officer killed in shooting www.privateofficer.com

Spotsylvania VA March 31 2013 A night club security guard was killed after a drive-by shooting at the Q Ball Cafe in Spotsylvania early Saturday morning, police said.

According to Capt. Jeff Pearce of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, an  altercation began between two groups of people during a rap concert.

More than 300 people were in attendance, he said. A group was evicted from the concert by club personnel sometime around 12:45 a.m., he said. A fight later ensued in the parking lot in front of the club at 960 Bragg Road and was broken up by club employees, Pearce said.

One of the unknown male suspects involved in the altercation was seen pointing an unknown type of handgun from the passenger window of a passing vehicle, Pearce said.

“The suspect fired several rounds in the direction of the club,” he said. One of the shots struck and killed a club security guard, who was standing in front of the club’s main entrance, Pearce said.

The victim was ideintified as 44-year-old Marcellus “Bull” Greene of Culpeper. Fredericksburg Police Officer Joe Young performed CPR, with assistance from a civilian, until an ambulance arrived, said Natatia Bledsoe, spokeswoman for the Fredericksburg Police Department.

The vehicle, described as a small gray sedan, sped off in an unknown direction, he said. Fredericksburg officers were the first to arrive on the scene and worked to control the crowd and secure the crime scene until Spotsylvania deputies arrived, Bledsoe said. Units from Spotsylvania’s criminal investigative division were assisted by the Fredericksburg’s crime scene investigative unit to process the scene, Pearce said. Spotsylvania homicide detectives are pursuing the investigation and following up on any leads, he said.

The identity of the victim has not been released pending notification of next of kin, but Pearce said he was a long-time employee of the club who was well-liked by patrons and management.

He is believed to be about 40 years old, he said. Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office at 540/582-7115 or anonymously at the Crime Solvers line at 540/582-5822.
Source: Federicksburg.com

Pittsburgh strip club security case in federal court www.privateofficer.com

Pittsburgh PA March 30 2013 The Pittsburgh police bureau is hurting strip clubs by prohibiting off-duty officers from working security details there, an attorney for Blush said Thursday.

Jonathan Kamin, who represents the Downtown strip club, plans to seek a court injunction to halt a policy that acting Chief Regina McDonald instituted March 13 banning police from providing off-duty security at strip clubs.

The city had the case moved to federal court, saying Blush’s complaint alleges constitutional violations. Solicitor Dan Regan declined comment, saying the city would argue its position in court.

Kamin said the city is violating the Constitution’s equal protection guarantees by singling out strip clubs. Officers are permitted to work off-duty details at other businesses.

“You can’t selectively apply the law, and that’s what (McDonald’s) doing,” he said.

Kamin said the case was assigned late in the day to a federal judge, so he did not have a chance to ask for an injunction. He plans to do that on Monday.

Blush has always hired private security to work inside the club, Kamin said, but puts armed police officers in uniform at the door. Since the ban went into effect, private security has worked the door, he said.

He described the club as a “pillar of the community,” offering adult entertainment since 1964 without problems. As many as 350 people come to the club on weekends, Kamin said.

The building originally housed the Edison Hotel in 1934 before becoming the New Edison Hotel and, eventually, Blush.

Read more: http://triblive.com/

Trio Of Family Members Attack Bar Security Guard After DJ Won’t Play Song www.privateofficer.com

PITTSBURGHPA March 28 2013 – A local family is accused of beating up a bar security guard, after a DJ wouldn’t play the song they had requested.

It happened at the bar Savoy in the Strip District, this past weekend.

Police say 29-year-old Dion Daye Jr. ,who requested the song, was arrested, in addition to two family members, 50-year-old Dion Daye Sr. and 25-year-old Dorian Daye, after they all teamed up and attacked a security guard.

The DJ’s refusal to play their song allegedly upset the trio which was asked to leave.

Then Dion Daye Jr. allegedly punched the security guard. The fight then escalated with family members using objects in the bar to continue attacking the security guard. The security guard is currently in the hospital, police say.
Source :  KDKA

Boston bouncer charged with beating customers at nightclub www.privateofficer.com

BOSTON MA March 2013 – A 31-year-old club bouncer is facing a charge of Assault & Battery by means of a dangerous weapon after a fight outside The Grand Canal, a popular club on Canal Street in Boston. There is video posted online of the incident early Sunday morning and it’s now gotten the attention of the city.

The video shows pushing and shoving that then turns to kicking and stomping. We showed the video to people walking by the area. “Your immediate reaction is it seems excessive,” said Tom Smith. “You don’t kick a man when he’s down,” his friend Stan Gusinski reacted.

Police identified the man in the video asBoston bouncer charged with beating customers at nightclub www.privateofficer.com, a bouncer at the club. According to the police report filed in the incident, it all began with an argument inside that led to Phillips and others bouncers leading two groups outside with what was described as great physical force. “I think it’s too far. I think he took it way too far,” said Lauren Butkiewicz. “I got to say it’s just not civilized,” added Bob McCarthy who’d just eaten at The Grand Canal.

When police responded around 1:30 in the morning Sunday, their report says the owner and manager were not very cooperative and that the bouncer was down in the basement trying to avoid officers. We tried to give Phillips a chance to give his side of the story, but no one answered at his Avon home. The Grand Canal released this statement staying, “We do not have all the facts. We are doing our own investigation. We have no further comment at this time”

The owner, David Murray, though, will go before the city’s licensing board Tuesday morning over three past complaints including another case late last year where an employee allegedly assaulted a patron and police were not called. WBZ also confirmed tonight the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing, separate from the liquor board, just this past Friday, gave

The Grand Canal an upcoming five-day suspension for a similar incident involving the same employee. That board will hold a hearing on this latest case April 17th. Four people were taken to Massachusetts General Hospital Sunday morning with what officers described as visible injuries to their faces and heads. Sidney Phillips will be arraigned Tuesday Boston Municipal Court.
Source:CBS News

Man Dies After Allegedly Being Beaten by Queens Bouncer www.privateofficer.com

QUEENS NY March 28 2013 — A man brutally beaten last week at a popular Queens nightclub — allegedly by a bouncer accused of beating and robbing a patron there just weeks earlier — has died, according to his family.

Deosarran Ramdular, 24, an air conditioning technician and a student at APEX Technical School, died over the weekend after his family took him off life support. “It’s so hard for me,” Ramdular’s mother, Lillawatee Baboolall, 59, said sobbing at her home Monday.

“He was a loving son, caring for me, always by my side.” The victim was assaulted March 18 about 4:45 a.m. after getting into a fight with bouncer Kristian Sorbera, 27, outside of the Moka Night Club on 91st Avenue in Richmond Hill, according to cops

. Sorbera repeatedly kicked and punched Ramdular in the face and head, causing multiple facial fractures, cuts and severe brain damage, according to the Queens DA’s office. After the assault, Ramdular — unconscious and in critical condition — was rushed to Elmhurst Hospital, cops said. ”It was unimaginable,” said his dad, Ramdular Baboolall, 62, fighting back tears. “He had cuts all over. His eyes were so swollen you could barely see. “I couldn’t stand watching it.”

Ramdular was declared brain dead on Friday and taken off life support on Sunday, his family said. “He was a momma’s boy,” the victim’s grieving dad told DNAinfo. “He’d play around here, watch television and joke. He liked video games. He played basketball with his friends. He watched a lot of sports.” Sorbera’s family, who described Kristian as a “gentle giant,” countered that Ramdular and his friends were the aggressors, waiting for Sorbera for over an hour after getting kicked out of the club and then jumping him.

“They were looking for him,” Kristian’s brother, a teary-eyed Robert Sorbera, 29, told DNAinfo at the family home on Parsons Boulevard. “He was just scared. He defended himself.” Robert added that Kristian didn’t realize how badly Ramdular was hurt and that he turned himself in to police after finding out Ramdular was in the hospital. Ramdular, his parents said, went to APEX Technical School and worked as a heating and air conditioning technician. He wanted to start his own air conditioning business one day, they said.

”He had all the motivation. He just never got the opportunity,” his father said. The victim, his dad said, “was always friendly.” ”I don’t think he would get into problems with anyone,” he added. Kristian Sorbera, who lives in Flushing, was arrested on March 19 and charged with assault as well as an assault and robbery on a club patron last month.

In that case, he and another man allegedly punched a club-goer in the face, fracturing the victim’s jaw, and took his wallet and cellphone, according to the DA’s office. According to the criminal complaint, Sorbera also kicked the victim in the chest and said to the other attacker, “Do what you have to do.” Robert Sorbera countered that the club-goer was attacking another bouncer and that Kristian just helped to escort him out of the club once he was subdued by other security guards. Sorbera was being held in lieu of $500,000 bail on Monday. The assault charges against him could be upgraded.

Funeral services for Ramdular are planned for Thursday. The victim’s father said that he was planning to take legal action against club. A phone call to the club Monday was forwarded to an answering service. The operator said that the club was closed for Passover and that no one was available for comment.
source-www.dnainfo.com/

Va. shooting at nightclub inures three www.privateofficer.com

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. March 20 2013 - Three people were shot outside of a Virginia Beach nightclub early Monday morning, just days after Sheriff Ken Stolle pulled part-time deputies from the area. The shooting occurred outside of Bentley’s Nightclub located at 544 Newtown Road around 2 a.m. When officers arrived on scene, they found one victim suffering from a gunshot wound. A second victim later arrived at Leigh Memorial Hospital while a third arrived at Sentara Norfolk General. Both suffered gunshot wounds to the leg. Moyers said none of the injuries are life threatening. The third victim is reportedly being uncooperative with police. Two of the victims are women. Sheriff Ken Stolle with the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office told WAVY.com he suspended deputies from working part-time at certain establishments, including Bentley’s, because he was worried about their safety. “When you authorize deputies to go in these situations, they’re providing for public safety, but you have to be worried about the safety of the deputies, as well,” Stolle said. “Based on the information I had, I was convinced we couldn’t provide for the safety of the deputies or the public, so I needed to get them out of there.” Deputies were pulled from the following locations prior to the shooting:

• Bentley’s
• Element
• Guadalajara’s at Town Center
• Aqua
• Mango’s
• Hot Tuna
• Latitudes Bar and Grill
• Lynnhaven Fish House
• Peabody’s
• Rudee’s Restaurant

The deputies would wear their uniforms while working private security at the bars. Stolle said Bentley’s was the biggest problem, by far. Police responded to 300 calls at the club in the last year, and that resulted in 19 arrests. “Bentley’s was a constant problem,” Stolle said. “It was generating from the inside and spilling out into the parking lot where the deputies were and that is exactly what happened last night.” Critics said the violence may not have happened if the deputies were in the parking lot. “That sounds dumb,” said Terrance Smith, who works nearby. “Ain’t that their job… to protect people, protect and serve?” Stolle’s response was to point at all the incidents that happened while deputies were there. He said having deputies outside dangerous clubs gives patrons a false sense of security.
“Any of those wounds could have been fatal,” Stolle said. “Had the guy been a better shot, they may have been fatal.” Calls to Bentley’s management were not returned.
Source:WAVY

Virginia security officer shot several times at sports bar www.privateofficer.com

Madison Heights, VA March 16 2013- A shooter is on the loose after opening fire at a restaurant and nightclub overnight.

The Amherst County Sheriff’s Office says around 1:30 a.m., a man shot into the Pizza Wings and Things Restaurant from the parking lot, and struck a male security guard in both legs.

His injuries are not considered life-threatening.

Investigators say several people were inside the restaurant at the time.

They also say there had been several fights at the popular DJ night. A similar shooting happened in the parking lot of the T.G.I. Friday’s in Lynchburg early Sunday morning.

No arrests have been made in either incident.

Source:ABC

Toledo man gets small prison sentence in death of nightclub bouncer www.privateofficer.com

Toledo OH March 14 2013 Jamieus Smith turned to the family of the man whose life he ended with a single punch and apologized. “It was never my intention for this to happen,” Smith said, fighting back tears. “I would never intentionally try to take someone’s life, but it happened. I didn’t mean it. I didn’t even know him.

I’ve been praying for him since it happened.” Smith, 29, of 2029 Southmoor Dr. in South Toledo pleaded no contest Tuesday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court to involuntary manslaughter in the commission of misdemeanor assault in the death of John R. White, 38, of Lake Township. Judge Frederick McDonald sentenced him to the agreed-upon maximum term of three years in prison along with two more years for an unrelated conviction for trafficking in cocaine and having a weapon under disability.

The five-year sentence seemed like far too little to family members of Mr. White, a bouncer at the Déjà vu nightclub on South Byrne Road. Andy Lastra, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor, told the court that after being denied admittance to the bar Sept. 29, an intoxicated Smith got into a confrontation with club security workers in the parking lot, where he punched Mr. White, knocking him backward. Mr. Lastra said Mr. White struck his head on the bumper of a sport utility vehicle, and then hit his head on the pavement.

He died eight days later from multiple skull fractures at University of Toledo Medical Center, the former Medical College of Ohio Hospital. Because of the circumstances of the homicide, Mr. Lastra said the prosecutor’s office did not feel it could proceed to trial on a charge of murder and risk an acquittal.

He told the court that neither Mr. White’s family nor the detectives who investigated the case were happy with the plea agreement. Defense attorney Jon Richardson said that his client, while not intending to kill Mr. White, felt responsible and remorseful for his death. “When I presented this to Jamieus last week, he said, ‘The man died. I’ll go to prison for it,’” Mr. Richardson said. “I think it matters to say there was no intentional homicide here,” he said.

“There was a punch like there probably will be in some bar in Toledo tonight.” Kimberly Moore of Lake Township, who was in a relationship with Mr. White for 15 years and had two children with him, said it’s been hard for their son and daughter, and the stepdaughter Mr. White considered his to come to terms with his absence. “He was huge on family. …

He would have given you the shirt off his back,” she said afterward. Ms. Moore said the five-year sentence was less than the family was expecting and less than they think was deserved. She told Smith in court, “It will take me awhile before I can forgive you. Right now, I can’t. I’m sorry
Read more at http://www.toledoblade.com

Woman says private security beat her in Charlotte www.privateofficer.com

Charlotte NC March 6 2013A group of women in Charlotte for the CIAA say they paid top dollar for a party but one of them became the victim of a club beat down.

Felicia Cunningham is still in shock over the beating she says she got at the hands of private security, Saturday night. “They slammed my head against the wall,” she tearfully recalled.

“I never had anybody do that to me. They were five men. Five.” Cunningham, her sister and cousin went to the Daisy Dooks gentleman club to see rapper Drake perform. “We came to see Drake,” she recalled. ”That’s not what we saw.” The first red flag, she says: not knowing it was a strip club till they got there. Online, the venue was called Cameo and there was no mention of the venue being called Daisy Dooks or the fact that it was a strip club. Since the women spent 16 hundred dollars spent on a VIP table, they didn’t want to leave. “So our plan was, once we see Drake — we leave,” she said. Other problems followed: someone stole her purse and she says they openly witnessing strippers performing sexual acts. “We’re actually descended on in the VIP by strippers,” she said.

“They’re becoming very aggressive saying we want to sit down here.” That’s when Cunningham said her sister called for security. But when the men arrived –they threw them out — and then beat her. “Pulling my hair,” she remember. ”My arms have bruises all the way down my arm. My ribs are bruised.” Once outside, Cunningham said they told police what happened but say officers told them they couldn’t go inside because of the club’s private security.

The next day, she filed a report, went to the ER and then contacted the club’s owner who she says offered to help. “Even though Daisy Dukes isn’t responsible and we don’t have anything to do with it, we’re gonna help you,” she said.

But Cunningham says there has been no help and says she wants others to learn from her experience. If it’s a strip club, it’s a strip club,” she said. ”Do your homework, don’t be naive.” WBTV contacted Daisy Dooks and the private security firm, Kodiak Police.

Neither have returned our calls. Source:WBTV

1 man shot outside club at NC Music Factory www.privateofficer.com

Charlotte NC March 6 2013 One person was injured early Monday during a shooting outside a club at the NC Music Factory north of Charlotte’s uptown area. The shooting was reported about 2:45 a.m., Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say. According to initial reports, an argument broke out among two men in the parking lot near the Label, one of several clubs at the entertainment venue off North Graham Street. During the dispute, according to witnesses, one man fired a shot at another man, wounding him in the abdomen. The victim was taken to Carolinas Medical Center but is expected to recover, according to officers. The alleged shooter drove off. Police spent several hours talking to employees and others who were in the vicinity of the shooting. They concluded the investigation shortly before 6 a.m. There is no word about any arrests or a description of a suspect. The NC Music Factory has more than a dozen clubs and concert venues. A check of Charlotte-Mecklenburg police crime statistics shows only one shooting incident in the area since last summer. In a July 13 incident, two men were shot in the leg outside Club Halo. Source: Charlotte Observer

Woman credits nightclub security officer with saving son’ life in fiery crash www.privateofficer.com

ALBANY NY March 1 2013 – Karen Weller, her four-month-old son Tajaye and her best friend Carol Dion were traveling from Canada to New York City to visit family when they were involved in a deadly crash early Friday morning.

Weller was trapped and smashed out a window as she screamed for help. Mike Curtis of Glenmont was working security at the nearby 21B Sportsbar and ran over to help.   “I saw lights coming at me. That’s what I saw when he was coming,” said Weller. “When I was tooting my horn and he was running across the street with a fire extinguisher. There’s no better moment to know that help is coming.”

Weller has a broken foot, fractured rib and many cuts and bruises. But she is focused on her infant son Tajaye, who she says suffered two broken legs and multiple skull fractures. Police say Julian With of Coxsackie was going the wrong way on the Thruway and died when he slammed into Dion’s car head-on near exit 21-B in Coxsackie.

Weller is full of praise for Curtis and his quick action.  First, he got the baby to safety. “And he told me to just ease back a little bit towards my right and he smashed the glass in. And he just hugged me with bear arms. Just hugged me, just pulled me out,” she said tearfully. “We just got the baby safe and her out,” said Mike Curtis.

“And there was a little bit of fire under her car. Got that out. That was about all we could do until the paramedics and everybody else got there.” Weller grieves for her best friend, Carol Dion, who was killed in the crash. They both worked in geriatric nursing. Weller wants to go home as soon as she and her son can.  She’s alone in an unfamiliar city, in a different country, trying to navigate medical bills and insurance.  She has an attorney from Martin, Harding and Mazzotti to help

. “In an ideal situation, the only thing Karen should have to worry about is getting her son home, taking care of her and her injuries and her child’s injuries, so that’s what we’re working towards now,” said attorney Charles Farcher with Martin, Harding and Mazzotti. While Weller is hoping to get her son home to the rest of their family soon, she is full of praise for all the help and care they have received in Albany. She says she plans to come back again to see her rescuer, Mike Curtis.

Man punches bouncer and breaks windows at Hoboken club www.privateofficer.com

HOBOKENNJ Feb 28 2013   – A Little Ferry man punched a nightclub bouncer and smashed windows Sunday morning during a tirade that led to his arrest on assault charges and a couple of dozen stitches to his bloodied fist, reports said.

Nicholas R. Perrotti, 25, of Eckel Road in Little Ferry, 25, was charged with criminal mischief and simple assault, reports said. Police were called to a nightclub on Washington Street near Newark Street at 12:33 a.m. Sunday on the report of fight, where a security guard at the club said that Perrotti punched him in the face while escorting the intoxicated man out of establishment, reports said.
Perrotti, who fell on the ground drunk after hitting the bouncer, got even more angry and punched out a window pane in the club’s front door, after someone kicked him on the ground, his friend told police. But Perrotti’s tirade didn’t end there. He ran outside and smashed a storefront window of a  business located next door on Washington Street, reports said. Perrotti, who was bleeding profusely from his right fist, then ran into a cop who stopped him on Newark Street, police said. The Hoboken Fire Department then cleared up the piles of smashed glass and laced with blood. Perrotti, who received 25 stitches to his hand, became violent and abusive at the Hoboken University Medical Center and had to be restrained and sedated, reports said.
Source: NJ.com

Nightclub security guard shot over spilled drink www.privateofficer.com

Ocala Fla Feb 28 2013 A bouncer at an Ocala nightclub was shot in the shoulder early Monday morning, reportedly by a bar patron.

Deon Sutton, 27, is accused of shooting Josue Santiago, 25, just before 1:45 a.m. at the Ocala Entertainment Complex, located at 1227 SW 17th Ave., according to Ocala Police Department reports.

Santiago, a bouncer at the bar, and Sutton reportedly got into an argument after Sutton accused Santiago of spilling his drink.

Earlier, Sutton was warned by bar security to calm down or he would be ejected, reports state.

Santiago told investigators he was walking to the front doors of the club to prepare for closing time when he kicked over Sutton’s drink, which was on the floor. Sutton demanded a new drink and when it was not given, started to yell and pace back and forth, according to reports.

Santiago approached Sutton and began escorting him out of the bar. Near the front door, Sutton reportedly pulled a gun from his pocket. The two struggled over the weapon, which discharged and hit Santiago in the shoulder, reports state.

Other security workers and patrons at the bar jumped on Sutton in the parking lot of the establishment and held him until police arrived.

Both Santiago and Sutton were taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center. Santiago’s wound was not life threatening. Sutton was treated for minor injuries and was released into police custody, according to reports.

Shortly after the shooting, one of the other bouncers at the complex found a two-shot Cobra Derringer on the ground. One shot had been fired from the gun.

Sutton told investigators he did not have a gun. He is on probation for carrying a concealed weapon, reports state.

Sutton was booked into the Marion County Jail on one count each of aggravated battery with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed firearm and possession of marijuana. He was being held at the jail on Monday in lieu of a $22,500 bond. He declined to comment for this article.

Source: Ocala.co

DC police chief shuts down nightclub after shooting death www.privateofficer.com

Washington DC Feb 26 2013 D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier has ordered a Northwest Washington nightclub and adjacent restaurant in the Shaw neighborhood closed for four days, labeling them a threat to public safety after a man was fatally shot following a dispute inside the club early Saturday.
The proprietors of 1920dc and Asefu’s Restaurant, which are jointly owned, can request a public hearing to regain their liquor license after the order expires and the District’s alcohol regulatory board completes its investigation later this week. Lanier has used this power frequently to keep problem establishments in line.
Saturday’s shooting of 30-year-old Joseph Hardin of Alexandria occurred about 1:15 a.m. outside 1920dc in the 1900 block of Ninth Street NW, according to D.C. police.
The fatal shooting was one of two in the District in a matter of hours. Another Virginia man, 49-year-old Damon Luke Brown of Ashburn, was killed just before 3 a.m. in Southeast.
D.C. police were also investigating a killing that occurred early Sunday evening in the 1400 block of Canal Street SW, about four blocks west of Nationals Park. Police have identified the victim in that case as Tyrone Joyner, 22, of Southeast.
Authorities released few details in the latest two killings, but police made an arrest in Saturday’s nightclub shooting. Cedric Spicer, 24, of Northwest was charged with second-degree murder while armed and was ordered detained until his preliminary hearing, which is scheduled for March in D.C. Superior Court.
Charging documents filed in the case show that the victim got into an argument inside the club and was escorted outside, where the argument continued. Although the altercation took place at the hip-hop club, police shut down Asefu’s, which serves Ethio­pian food, because it holds the liquor license for both establishments.
A short time after the argument, a witness told police, a masked man walked up to the victim “with his arm extended and shot him.” Another witness told police, according to the charging document, that the masked gunman fired at one of the women who was running away from the scene but missed, and then returned to the wounded victim lying on the sidewalk and “fired multiple rounds” into his body.
Police said the gunman had been in the nightclub before the shooting and had been there in the past. Police said a witness identified the gunman from his Facebook page, where he goes by “Young Dro Pak,”a name he also has tattooed on his stomach.
Police said the suspect was arrested after a foot chase by patrol officers. His attorney could not be reached Monday afternoon. The owner of the club and restaurant also could not be reached; a number to the club was not accepting messages.
The club manager, who spoke to The Washington Post over the weekend on the condition of anonymity because the person is a witness in the case, said the gunman had not been in the club and that the dispute inside never got physical. The manager objected to Lanier’s emergency closure.
In her letter to owner, Lanier faulted club managers for not calling police when the initial disturbance broke out, saying that the victim had been threatened. The chief wrote that the “violent crime can be connected directly to the operations of the ‘Asefu’s Restaurant’ establishment, and severely endangers the residents and visitors of this city.”

Source: Washington Post

DC police arrest man in nightclub shooting death www.privateofficer.com

WASHINGTON DC Feb 24 2013 (AP) – D.C. police say a Virginia man was shot and killed following a dispute inside a nightclub, and a suspect is in custody.
Police say 30-year-old Joseph Hardin of Alexandria was fatally shot early Saturday morning in the 1900 block of 9th Street, Northwest. The location is just a few blocks from the Howard University campus in an area known for nightlife.
Police say the gunman, 24-year-old Cedric Spicer of Northwest Washington, was arrested immediately after the shooting. He’s been charged with first-degree murder while armed.
Officer Hugh Carew, a police spokesman, says Hardin and Spicer got into some kind of dispute inside 1920 DC, a nightclub and lounge. The argument continued onto the street, where Hardin was shot.

Pair arrested after bouncer stabbed www.privateofficer.com

Calaveras County CA Feb 23 2013 A bouncer at the Murphys Historic Hotel bar suffered stab wounds and a former Angels Camp man was arrested following an encounter last Friday, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office reported.
The Sheriff’s Office said that Jeron Daniel Roberts, 34, stabbed the bouncer during a fight outside the bar.
Deputies dispatched to the scene about 11:15 p.m. last Friday arrived to find the bouncer and others holding Roberts on the ground.
While investigating the incident, deputies also arrested Douglas Koch, 26, of Angels Camp. Roberts and Koch reportedly arrived at the bar together and were already intoxicated, according to the Sheriff’s Office report.
Roberts was jailed on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. Koch was jailed on suspicion of misdemeanor public intoxication. The bouncer received medical treatment at the scene. Investigators said his injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.
Investigators said the weapon used was a folding knife with a 4-inch blade.

source-recordnet.com

Gang related shooting investigated in Spokane www.privateofficer.com

SPOKANE, Wash. Feb 19 2013– Several people were hurt early Monday after gunfire erupted at a Spokane music venue.
The Spokane Police Department responded after witnesses reported two shots were fired just after 2 a.m. at the Knitting Factory in Downtown Spokane, along Sprague Avenue. Investigators said a private party was underway inside the club at the time of the shooting.
When authorities arrived, they found two men who had been shot. Medics rushed them to the hospital in serious condition.
The parking lot and surrounding area was established as a crime scene, which allowed officers to process the scene for physical evidence. Officers shut down Sprague Avenue between Post and Lincoln during the investigation.
About 30 minutes later, authorities got a call of a second shooting and a vehicle “peeling out” near Maple and Nora. Nearly 20 officers rushed to that scene and found two more men had been shot in the area. Both victims are expected to be okay but were taken to the hospital for their injuries.
Investigators said the shootings are connected and gang related. So far, no arrests have been made but officers said they have identified the involved parties. However, anyone with information regarding the shootings is urged to call Crimestoppers 800-222-TIPS.
The latest incident was the fourth time Spokane Police officers have responded to a shooting at the Knitting Factory in the past year alone.

Source:KREM

Memphis nightclub security guard shot www.privateofficer.com

Memphis TN Feb 19 2013 Two juveniles have been arrested after a nightclub security guard and a 16-year-old girl were shot Sunday night near the same block in Hickory Hill, according to police.
The girl was found by police about 9:41 p.m. in front of the Walmart at 2586 Hickory Hill. She was taken to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in noncritical condition.
Around the corner on Apple Tree Drive, police found the 21-year-old security guard. He was taken to the Regional Medical Center at Memphis in noncritical condition.
The shooting began that night outside nearby Zodiac nightclub on Mt. Moriah, where in November a 15-year-old boy was shot. Gunfire started Sunday after as many as 300 people were turned away when the club reached maximum capacity, police said.
Shortly afterward, officers heard more shots at the Enclave Apartments in the area. They arrested two juveniles, but charges were unknown Monday morning.
No other injuries were reported.
An investigation is ongoing.

Nightclub boucer arrested after pulling gun during argument www.privateofficer.com

Laredo TX Feb 17 2013 The bouncer at a local nightclub is arrested after an argument with a patron gets out of hand with him allegedly shooting at her vehicle!

Manuel Martinez is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Police did not recover a weapon, but the case is still under investigation.

Police tell us the incident happened shortly before three Friday morning in the parking lot of Club Majesty. A woman called 911 frantically saying someone had shot at her. We’re told the situation started as an argument between the woman and a security guard at the bar.

It escalated and she left with the suspect allegedly pulling out a gun and firing at her truck.

Police arrived and found a casing on the ground as well as a bullet hole in the woman’s vehicle.

source-pro8news.com

NY man tried shooting nightclub bouncer www.privateofficer.com

New York NY Feb 15 2013 A 29-year-old man pointed a gun at a bouncer of a Church Avenue nightclub on Feb. 11 — say police who arrested him and a 26-year-old accomplice.
The bouncer told police he was working the door of the club between Flatlands and Bedford avenues at 4:46 am when the younger suspect began shouting threats at him.
“You and this nightclub are going to get, going to get it,” the suspect allegedly stammered.
The older suspect then approached the bouncer and took a swing at him, before pulling a pistol from his waistband, pointing it at the victim, and pulling the trigger, police allege.
Fortunately, the gun didn’t fire and the suspects fled, although cops were quick to catch up with them, finding the suspects, along with their pistol, in the back of yellow cab, police said.

California man dies in fight with nightclub security www.privateofficer.com

IMPERIAL VALLEY, Calif. Feb 13 2013– Police continue to investigate the death of a bar patron who got into a fight with several bouncers and died.
Police say they have not arrested any of the bouncers involved in the fight that happened just before Daniel Romero died.
KSWT News 13 spoke to Robert Prada, the owner of Kashmir, the nightclub where Romero got into a fight with a bar bouncer early Sunday morning.
Prada says he has turned over all surveillance video to police.
Prada also says Romero, who was a trained MMA fighter and Army veteran, punched one of his bouncers.
“When security went and apprehended the individual and asked him to step outside, he did not cooperate, and he took a swing and struck one of my security guards,” Prada said.
Prada tells KSWT News 13 that is when two other bouncers stepped in to hold Romero down.
“He was detained. I believe it took four guards to control him and get him out,” Prada said.
A short time later, Romero stopped breathing.
When asked if his bouncers reacted appropriately, Prada said, “They did not touch him prior to him striking the guard. They then apprehended him so he could not get out of control. The guards took him out of the building and restrained him outside.”
KSWT also asked Prada if there was any sign of Romero not being able to breathe during the fight.
“No. The video surveillance does not show any kind of striking or anything like that. My guards responded in a professional manner. They reacted as soon as he swung.”
Paramedics rushed Romero to the hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.
Still, the question remains: What happened to Romero while he was being restrained by four bouncers outside of the bar?
The Imperial County Sheriffs Coroner’s Office tells KSWT News 13 that autopsy results should be released tomorrow.

Source: KSWT News 13