North Charleston, South Carolina. The South Carolina Department of Revenue has formally suspended all alcohol sales at a North Charleston nightclub that has allegedly caused violence and worries in the community.
Aqua Lounge and Nightclub, located on Rivers Avenue, has hosted two shoots in the last six months.
The state office first suspended the bar’s liquor license on November 14, but convened an emergency suspension hearing on Monday to give the company owner the opportunity to dispute the decision.
Lorenzo Johnson, the proprietor of Aqua Lounge, did not appear at the hearing and informed the court that the business had closed a few weeks before.
Representatives from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division recommended the temporary suspension following the November shooting that killed Terrance Bolger, 27, of North Charleston. Since the incident, Bolger’s family members have demanded answers.
On June 10, a gunshot occurred in the nightclub, injuring two people. A week after the incident, Johnson was charged with obstruction of justice.
The incident report stated that Johnson avoided basic questions and appeared disingenuous when asked about security cameras. According to an affidavit, Johnson originally claimed that the shooting occurred outside the club and then “continued to attempt to mislead officers and state the shooting did not happen inside of his club.”
The affidavit also alleged that while officers were present, Johnson shut the door and refused to let them back in.
Even before there was any violence, surrounding homeowners had expressed worries about the club for years. Earlier this year, residents of the Singing Pines neighborhood petitioned the city council to rezone the area for the protection of their families.
The suspension imposed yesterday will stay in effect until the Administrative Law Court issues a final order.
When contacted for further comment, Johnson wrote, “The license was suspended because of the NCPD request as I said before my problems there are personal not because of business,” before moving to state. “I don’t want anything to do with that business I lost all my investment out of hate and abuse of power but I’m ok with that because what human judge system can’t give justice when we meet in front of god I’ll get my full rights.”
