Key Takeaways
- A man was shot inside the Twenty-Two Ultra Lounge on Glensprings Drive in Springdale just before 1 a.m. on Sunday, October 4, while the club was packed for a local high school’s 20-year reunion.
- Officers were already outside the club dealing with a large crowd when they heard gunshots coming from inside.
- A police spokesman said the department has handled violent incidents and prior shootings at the same property, including under earlier names and earlier ownership.
Man Shot Inside Springdale, Ohio, Nightclub Where Police Say Shootings Have Happened Before
A man was shot inside the Twenty-Two Ultra Lounge in Springdale just before 1 a.m. on Sunday, October 4. The bar was packed with local high school alumni celebrating their 20-year reunion, according to Local 12. The club sits on Glensprings Drive.
Police officers were already at the property when the gunfire began. Spokesman Keenan Riordan said officers had responded to the bar because of a large crowd gathered outside, and that while they were dealing with that crowd, they heard gunshots coming from inside the building, according to Local 12. The shots sent people scrambling for cover.
Riordan said the property has a history of violence, according to Local 12. He said police have dealt with violent incidents there before, including “some shootings in the past, even under different names and different ownership,” and added that he was not sure what it is about the location that draws a violent crowd.
Later that same day, a fire broke out at the lounge. It started around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, and no one was injured, according to Local 12. Police suspect the fire was intentionally set and are investigating the incident as possible arson. Riordan said the fire department brought in fire marshals and that a dog detected accelerants at the scene, Local 12 reported. The suspected arson remains under investigation.
A woman who lives nearby told the station she was not surprised the club was shot up, and said she did not understand why the bar keeps reopening if people are going to keep getting hurt there. Attempts by the station to reach the lounge’s owners by phone and through social media went unanswered. As of Local 12’s October 6 report, no arrests had been announced in connection with the shooting.
What This Shooting Means for Negligent Security Claims
Under Ohio law, businesses generally owe patrons a duty of ordinary care, which may include protecting them from foreseeable criminal acts by third parties.
In determining foreseeability, courts may examine previous similar incidents at the property. Ohio’s First District Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over Hamilton County, has recognized that prior similar acts can help establish whether a business should have anticipated another violent incident.
What makes the police spokesman’s comments particularly relevant is the property’s history of violence. Foreseeability can be a significant issue in negligent security cases, particularly when determining whether a business knew or should have known about prior incidents. In this case, a police spokesman publicly acknowledged that the department had responded to violent incidents and previous shootings at the property, including under different names and ownership. This raises questions about what the current operator knew, or should have known, about the property’s history.
The circumstances of the shooting raise additional questions about the club’s security operations. Officers were already outside responding to a large crowd when they heard gunshots coming from inside the building. However, it remains unclear what security measures the lounge had in place or whether reasonable precautions were taken to protect patrons.
Key Factors in Evaluating a Potential Claim
Several factors may be relevant when evaluating whether a bar or nightclub took reasonable steps to protect its patrons:
- What the venue knew or should have known about previous violent incidents at the property
- How many security personnel were working that night relative to the number of patrons, and where they were positioned
- How the club managed the large crowd gathered outside that prompted a police response
- Whether surveillance cameras covering the entrance, interior, and parking areas were operational and monitored
- Whether the venue had a written security plan for large events and whether staff were trained to implement it
- How quickly staff responded to the gunfire and what actions they took to assist the injured man and secure the scene
The shooting remains under investigation. According to Local 12, attempts to contact the lounge’s owners were unsuccessful. No findings have been made regarding the adequacy of the venue’s security measures, and much of the information needed to evaluate a potential negligent security claim is not yet publicly available.
However, when a man is shot inside a crowded nightclub at a property where police say previous shootings have occurred, whether the business took reasonable steps to protect its patrons is an important question worthy of further investigation.
Were You Injured in A Nightclub Shooting?
If you or someone you love was injured in the shooting at the Twenty-Two Ultra Lounge, or in a violent incident at another bar, nightclub, or event venue, you may have grounds for a civil claim against the business.
At Andreozzi + Foote, we represent victims of negligent security at bars, nightclubs, event venues, and other commercial properties. We work to hold property owners and operators accountable when inadequate security measures contribute to preventable injuries.
Our team can help you understand whether a business may have failed to take reasonable steps to protect you and what compensation may be available for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Image source: Local 12
