CHICAGO (CBS) — A fatal shooting outside a neighborhood bar in Garfield Ridge has raised new questions about the establishment — and whether it should have operated at all.
The local councilor wants it closed.
In front of a packed house of residents of Garfield Ridge, Ald. Marty Quinn (14th) said people shouldn’t be fooled by a thin sign that says the bar, formerly known as Halina’s Pub at 7023 W. Archer Ave., is under new management.
Quinn accuses the bar’s former owner and new owner of brokering an illegal backroom deal that circumvents the city’s liquor laws. He emphasized that liquor licenses are not transferable.
“The full weight of the city of Chicago falls on this property in light of what happened on Friday,” Quinn said.
Police said just before 8 p.m. Friday, an argument led to the shooting of three people. A security guard with a concealed carry permit was approached by two men, one of them armed, and a shootout ensued, police said.
The gunfire killed a 27-year-old man and injured a 31-year-old man. The security guard, a 28-year-old man, was also shot and taken to hospital in critical condition.
“It was never an issue under one owner,” said Mike Doherty, vice president of Garfield Ridge Neighbor Watch. “On this other property that came in, we have no idea who, what, where, when.”
For decades, the bar operated as Halina’s, but went bankrupt earlier this month. But to the surprise of the councilor and the community, the bar reopened last Friday, apparently under new management – the same night as the shooting.
Chicago Lawn (8th) Police District Cmdr. Bryan Spreyne said city inspectors were in the bar at the time of the shooting.
“Any business that opens must open an opening and work with the city of Chicago with licensing and investigations,” Spreyne said.
Part of the meeting came in defense of the former bar owner.
“She still owns the company,” one woman said. “She financed them for the building.”
Most residents were there to sign a petition and support a zoning change that could close the business for good — which Quinn thinks is a good idea.
“Working with the community, today I filed an ordinance to change the zoning to single-family, preserving this community’s right to a front-row seat to what happens next,” Quinn said.
While Ald. Quinn said city inspectors were inside during the shooting. The Ministry of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection said the investigation is ongoing and declined to comment.
Charlie de Mar
