Local News
A 21-year-old U.S. Army soldier was shot and injured outside Carousel Lounge Sunday, June 8, 2014, only two months after 21-year-old Marcus King lost his life in the same parking lot. Victims and their families may finally find justice and answers from nightclub property owners, as the city re-opens their investigation.
According to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, a 21-year-old soldier visited Carousel Lounge with a friend in the early hours of Sunday morning. As the friends exited the Victory Drive nightclub and walked toward their car in the rear parking lot, they were assaulted by a spray of gunfire. Police believe 7-10 shots were fired into the nightclub parking lot, striking and injuring the solider. He is now recovering and listed in stable condition. The shooting was apparently unprovoked and Columbus Police are still searching for suspects and a motive.
The horrific shooting is the third to haunt this area in a year. Less than two months ago, 21-year-old Marcus King was fatally shot outside Carousel Lounge. The father of two young boys perished during surgery following the assault. In April, 2013, a shooting at the nearby Foxy Lady Lounge claimed the life of another 20-year-old man. Victory Drive area nightclubs have become notorious for criminal activity. In the past year, Carousel Lounge has reportedly been linked to 15 police reports, escalating in severity from theft, simple battery and auto break-ins to the recent violent shootings.
Carousel Lounge was part of a city investigation following the April, 2013 Foxy Lady Lounge shooting. Mayor Tomlinson addressed the previous investigation and recent shootings on Monday, explaining city investigations must reveal “a substantial number of drug, violence and prostitution cases before city officials issue a formal complaint against ownership.” Although Carousel Lounge has been linked to a plethora of crimes, they were apparently not deemed “severe enough” to warrant a formal warning to the business owner during the last investigation.
Following Sunday’s shooting of a young serviceman, the city is now re-opening their investigation of Carousel Lounge. If local officials determine the lounge is a “criminal haven,” a letter will be issued “warning owners to review their business practices.”
Our Legal Take
While relieved that the city is finally addressing the grievous criminal activity at Carousel Lounge, The Murray Law Firm finds a potential “letter to review business practices” a deficient resolution for the victims and families left devastated by these shootings. They deserve answers from the owner and management of Carousel Lounge:
What additional security measures were implemented by Carousel Lounge ownership and management following the April 2013 and April 2014 shootings?
The April shooting of Marcus King and the Sunday shooting of a military serviceman both occurred in the Carousel Lounge parking lot. What safety precautions, such as bright lighting, emergency call boxes, surveillance cameras, and a police or security patrol, were implemented and available to Mr. King and the solider at the time of their shootings?
Why wasn’t the nightclub issued a formal city complaint following the April shooting of Mr. King? Surely, a fatal shooting should be deemed “severe enough” to warrant such action. What is the city’s criteria for determining a business a risk to the community? Should a formal complaint be issued against the nightclub, how does the city plan to enforce and monitor it?
Given the history of violence on and near the Carousel Lounge property, the victims and their families may elect to hold the nightclub owner and management civilly liable for any injuries or deaths suffered as a consequence of their negligence. Total claims may be in the millions of dollars and would, most importantly, demand all Columbus nightclub owners finally make patron safety and security their first priority. Claims of this magnitude will also urge city officials to crack down on nightclub safety in the area and shut down any properties that repeatedly place our community at risk.
The soldier injured in Sunday’s shooting and the family of Marcus King should retain an experienced premises liability firm without delay to ensure all evidence is preserved and their best interests are protected. The Murray Law Firm works tirelessly to protect victims of nightclub negligence and we offer our legal expertise to the victims and families, if needed. Anyone seeking further information is encouraged to contact us at 706.494.2800 or toll free at 888.842.1616.
