Owner speaks out after west Louisville bar's liquor license suspended after shooting

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A west Louisville bar has been ordered to close after police say two women were shot inside.

Louisville Metro Police spokesman Dwight Mitchell said in a news release officers received a call around 5:45 a.m. Saturday morning reporting two women had shown up at Norton West Hospital by private means with gunshot wounds.

After some investigation, police confirmed the shooting happened around 2 a.m., at the Double Deuce Sports Bar and Grill at 2529 West Broadway. Louisville Metro Alcoholic Beverage Control issued a temporary emergency suspension order for the bar's liquor license, according to the following statement shared with WDRB:

"Louisville Metro Alcoholic Beverage Control has issued an Emergency Suspension Order for Double Deuce Sports Bar & Grill following a shooting at the establishment around 2 a.m. on October 18. The incident is currently under investigation. Louisville Metro ABC remains committed to taking swift action when safety is at risk and collaborating to address businesses and conditions that promote or enable crime as part of Mayor Greenberg’s Safe Louisville plan."

WDRB spoke with one of the owners of Double Deuce Sports Bar and Grill, Stephon Harbin. He said he got a call there was a shooting and went to investigate.

"The way we understand it is that somebody actually managed to get past security with a weapon, they dropped it on the floor, it went off and if these two ladies actually got hit then it had to be some sort of shrapnel, definitely not a shooter running around shooting people inside the club," Harbin said.

WDRB still looking to confirm those details with LMPD.

Harbin said no one called the police or an ambulance at the bar and that both women stayed after the shooting.

One neighbor we spoke with said this isn't anything new.

"There's always something going on at 26th and Broadway and that's been for over 40 years honestly," the neighbor said. "It's like a magnet for bad behavior, and the people that commit the crimes and do the deeds are not even residents."

That same neighbor said there's nothing they can do as residents about what happens outside their homes.

"Short of tearing everything down and all of the clubs, there's really nothing that can be done. What's to prevent someone else to buy the club and applying for a new alcohol license, nothing," the neighbor said.

The business currently has a "No Concealed Weapons" sign on the door.

"We don't want anyone inside with weapons, you can see the sign that says 'no concealed weapons allowed', we're supposed to do searches, I'm assuming there's a lapse in our security somewhere that took place," Harbin said.

Harbin said he supports Louisville Metro ABC's decision and after the investigation is over, he will look to reopen.

"We're definitely going to have some serious conversations about security, definitely some policy changes, we have scanners coming, metal detectors and just everything we possibly can to make sure no weapons into this place," Harbin said.

The suspension by Louisville Metro ABC means the Double Deuce Sports Bar and Grill is prohibited from selling or serving alcohol until an investigation is complete.

The incident is currently under investigation by LMPD. Harbin said the bar provided security footage to police as part of that investigation.

There are currently no suspects in the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to make an anonymous call LMPD's Crime Tip Line at 502-574-LMPD (5673) or submit an anonymous tip on the Crime Tip Portal by clicking here.

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