Mobile County Commissioners are considering actions that could eventually result in the Alabama Bar and Lounge on Airport Boulevard shutting down. There have be
Mobile County Commissioners are considering actions that could eventually result in the Alabama Bar and Lounge on Airport Boulevard shutting down. There have been two deadly shootings in the bar's parking lot in the last six years, and county officials say they've received numerous complaints.
The Mobile County Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, March 24th. The bar's owner says violence can happen anywhere, and he's doing all he can to keep people safe. "It's a shame that these, senseless acts of violence happen, but you know you can't, you can't blame the establishments," said Joseph Johnson. Mathew Sanders, 20, is accused of killing Hunter Lins on February 1st in the parking lot. He's pleaded not guilty. Six years ago 31-year-old Michael Beasley was killed in the parking lot trying to protect a woman in a fight. Johnson says he has security on the weekends, scaled back how late they're open, installed surveillance cameras, and trained bartenders not to overserve and to scrutinize ID's. He showed us surveillance video of a bartender checking Sanders' ID before last month's shooting and says Sanders showed a believable fake ID. He declined to share the video so we could include it in this report. "There's nothing else we can really do to prevent it. If there is something we can do, let me know. I'll be the first one to make a change," said Johnson."If so, if they make that decision, then it would be an action in circuit court to try to shut the business down," said Mobile County Attorney Jay Ross. Ross says commissioners are also considering rescinding their consent to the bar's liquor license, which could prompt the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to revoke the license. Ross says these are extraordinary measures the commission doesn’t typically take. "In 18 years that I've been the county attorney this has never happened. So it's the first time that it will have occurred at least in 18 years," said Ross. Ross says the county cannot legally revoke a business license. He says the county sent 270 people within a quarter mile of the location notices about Monday's public hearing. Four neighbors told NBC 15 News they frequently hear loud music from the bar in their homes. Two of them said they'd like the bar to shut down.A spokesperson for the Alabama ABC Board says if the bar is declared a public nuisance, the board would schedule a hearing with the bar owner to determine if the business could continue to sell alcohol. There is currently one open complaint and five closed complaints about the bar on file with the state.
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