LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Baxter's 942, a popular bar on Baxter Avenue in one of Louisville's busiest nightlife districts, was denied a renewal to sell alcohol this week, the city citing recent shootings in the area for the decision. But Kevin Strnatka, who owns Baxter's, said Thursday the move was "absolutely insulting."

"We had nothing to do with any of these murders," he said. "They didn't happen here."

Baxter's 942 submitted a renewal application to sell alcoholic beverages earlier this month. The nightclub was denied Tuesday by Louisville's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

"In light of multiple shooting incidents in the vicinity of Baxter’s 942 Bar and Grill in recent months, Louisville Metro Alcoholic Beverage Control has made the decision to deny renewal of the establishment’s liquor license," Louisville Metro ABC released in a statement. "Public safety is our top priority, and after careful consideration of the risks posed by continued operation, we have determined that this action is necessary to protect our community. Louisville Metro ABC will continue to work with local establishments to ensure the safety and security of our city’s nightlife."

In August, a triple shooting outside nightclubs on Baxter Avenue in the Highlands killed two people and injured another.

"Based on several factors it is my determination that the issuance of the requested licensed would not be in the public interest of Louisville/Jefferson Metro Government," Alcoholic Beverage Control Director Brad Silveria wrote in reply to the application. "The primary reason for the denial of this license is the repeated acts of violence emanating from events occurring in the vicinity of the licensed premises."

Silveria wrote Baxter's hired "DJ Lil Jerry & Friends" but should have known the dangers associated with hiring the performer.

"The way this thing was handled by ABC, to me, was so unprofessional," Strnatka said Thursday. "... If somebody got murdered in my building, I would shut it down myself."

The city said four known shootings have happened on nights the performer has played in Louisville.

"The ABC administrator has determined renewing this license would not be in the public interest for purposes of health and public safety," Silveria wrote. "Metro ABC has received various communications asking the ABC Administrator to deny this Application."

Silveria said Thursday that Baxter's appealed the decision and he's limited to what he can say.

"I stand by what we wrote," he said. "But I'm going to be careful about what I say."

Silveria's letter also specifically names DJ...Lil Jerry as part of the problem

"We're going to defend our name," Strnatka said. "... I've received a lot of emails, text (and) social media (that) has been on our side."

Strnatka said DJ Lil Jerry wants to clear his name and plans to hold a news conference Friday or sometime in the near future.

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