West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration Facebook image.
CHARLESTON, W. Va.–The state Alcohol Beverage Control Administration has suspended the private club license of the Premier Pub & Grill in Huntington following recent shootings.
The suspension means the bar won’t be allowed to operate at least through April 10 during what the ABCA calls a “cooling off period.”
The Huntington Police Department requested the license suspension, according to Huntington Police Chief Karl Colder.
“During the past two weekends, there have been shootings that have occurred in the immediate area outside the Premier Pub & Grill, located in the 1500 block of 4th Avenue,” Colder said in a news release. “Now, four victims who have either been patrons of Premier or were waiting in line to enter the establishment have been struck by gunfire.
“The latest shooting on Saturday, March 26, escalated the need to request that the ABCA suspend Premier’s license for the sake of the public’s safety and to allow detectives to thoroughly investigate these incidents. We truly appreciate the ABCA’s assistance and coordination in this matter.”
A man standing in line Saturday night suffered a gunshot wound to his leg. A woman in line was shot in the stomach. She had to undergo surgery. He’s now out of the hospital.
The first shooting occurred in the early morning hours of March 20 also in the 1500 block of 4th Avenue. Police said a 39-year-old man was shot in the leg and a 36-year-old woman in the ankle. Neither of the injuries were life-threatening.
Both shootings remain under investigation.
The owners of Premier Pub & Grill have until April 6 to offer an explanation of the events and their plans for improvement, according to ABCA Commissioner Fred Wooton.
Wooton has the option of continuing the suspension past the original April 10 date.