Infiniti Sports Bar shuts down as public nuisance, city officials confirm
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Only days after the most recent incident at Infiniti Sports Bar and Grill, local officials gathered to draw a line in the sand on Wednesday, deeming the criminal hotspot a public nuisance.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young, who opened the press event with a few words on the state of crime in the city, says that the bar’s closing is a means to an end after a shooting that recently left two dead and three others injured.
“We’re here to send a message,” the mayor added, “we are not going to continue to allow places to operate as hubs for violence.”
Chief of the Memphis Police Department, CJ Davis, echoed Mayor Young’s stance against Infiniti, citing that 26 recorded incidents have been tied to the bar this year alone.
“We want to make it clear that public safety is a priority here in the city,” Chief Davis shared, “this business closure was not delayed or debated, it was expedited.”
Chief Davis also provided insight into why the closing of the business was a priority, mentioning that the bar has had 93 total incidents within the last two years, including homicides, shots fired, armed parties, and public disturbance calls.
Also present at the press event, Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy complimented the Memphis Police Department for taking swift action, hailing their research showing that the recent shooting was not an “isolated incident.”
“Serious crimes, aggravated assault, simple assault, deadly overdoses, auto thefts, things of that nature. Things that really impact the safety of this neighborhood and this place are close to schools, churches, homes,” said Mulroy.
Mulroy also noted the bar’s proximity to the general public.
“This place is close to schools, churches, and homes. I point all this out [to let you know] that we do not do these things lightly. We respect property rights, we respect entrepreneurs, and we want businesses to thrive, but not at the expense of public safety,” he said.
During the investigation of the closure, it was discovered by MPD that the club manager, John Curry, was reportedly storing and selling liquor without a license.
Curry has been charged with:
- Driving While License Suspended/Cancelled/Revoked
- Possession of Unstamped Liquor Over 3 Gallons
- Unlawful Sale of an Alcoholic Beverage
- Storage of Liquor For Sale
- Dispensing Alcoholic Beverages Without a License
The news of this closing comes only weeks after the passing of Tennessee House Bill 1050, a law that holds local businesses accountable for the crime that happens on their property. State Representative Antonio Parkinson, who championed the bill, was also present at the press event and spoke about the importance of keeping our communities safe.
Officials also listed the measures that would have to be taken to reopen the business, including improved lighting, better surveillance equipment, and adequate security on the property.
“We don’t want to take people out of business, but we owe it to our citizens to make a safer environment for all of our community,” said Davis.
The Memphis Police Department will be working in conjunction with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to spearhead the closure process.
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