No more parties at site of shootings
The Atmore City Council revoked the business license of The Assembly Hall just days after three people were shot and one person was arrested.
Anji Lynn Baker, 34, of Bay Minette was arrested and charged with three counts of attempted murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle or dwelling in the early hours of Nov. 11. Police reported three people had been shot.
On the recommendation of Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks, the city council voted Nov. 13 to revoke the business license of the establishment, formerly known as the Chick-A-Dee Club at 54 Carver Ave.
Atmore Mayor Jim Staff said the club owners, John and Mary Frye, had been operating under a restrictive business license that among other things stipulated no alcohol would be consumed in the parking lot, a licensed security officer had to be on the premises and that at least one of the owners had to be present at any gathering.
“They violated every one of them,” Mayor Staff said. “They had their last chance.”
Staff said he learned the club had two or three more gatherings scheduled, but those have been canceled.
Police Chief Chuck Brooks said there had been numerous complaints at the club and due to the violations that occurred on the morning of the shooting, he recommended the license be revoked.
“Due to the violations of the restrictions and past complaints I recommended the license be taken away,” Brooks said.
He said if any other events take place at the club the owners would be subject to being charged with operating a business without a license.
Atmore police were dispatched to the club at 12:25 a.m. on Nov. 11 in reference to a shooting.
Brooks reported when officers arrived they observed fighting outside and inside the club. Witnesses told officers one person was still inside the club suffering from a gunshot wound and two other gunshot victims had been transported to Atmore Community Hospital in private vehicles.
Baker was later arrested in Pensacola.
