A man who was shot at a North Charleston restaurant earlier this year has now filed a lawsuit, alleging the incident could have been prevented if the business had taken proper safety measures.
Hakeem Wittrell was shot on March 29, 2025, at El Patio Caribbean Cuisine and Lounge, formerly known as The Montague Room—a location with a history of noise complaints and safety issues from nearby residents.
Though El Patio’s online listings show the business as active, recent city records indicate otherwise. The latest business license still lists the company as The Montague Room LLC, operating under the name El Patio. As of Wednesday, El Patio appeared to be closed.
Lawsuit Claims Negligence by Business
According to the lawsuit, the shooting happened because the restaurant failed to take reasonable precautions, despite prior criminal activity linked to the location. The suit argues that with a known history of problems, the business should have done more to ensure safety.
Community members have long voiced concerns about crime and disorder around the venue. Some say the shooting could have been avoided if those concerns were taken seriously by business owners and city officials.
“These businesses have to respect the community they’re moving into,” said local resident Gregory Maciejewski.
“If they ignore us, it’s not going to go well. Communities here stick together.”
Councilman Emde Pledges to Rebuild Trust
City Councilman Christopher Emde, who represents District Five, said this incident is a wake-up call and has promised to work towards restoring community trust.
“It’s about setting a standard,” Emde said. “If you don’t set one, people will do whatever you allow them to do.”
Residents say they have felt let down by former councilmembers, including Jerome Heyward, who they believe did little to address safety concerns in the area.
Maciejewski added,
“Jerome never really did much for our neighborhood. Todd Olds was okay before him. Now we have Chris Emde—I hope things improve.”
Controversies Surround Property Owner and Former Councilman
The property owner, Michelle Stent, was charged earlier this year with conspiracy to commit bribery, fraud, theft, and money laundering—charges linked to a wider corruption case involving three North Charleston City Council members.
Despite denying ownership, body cam footage from a North Charleston Police response in 2024 showed Councilman Heyward representing The Montague Room during a noise complaint call.
Maciejewski commented,
“It was supposed to be high-end, but it wasn’t. Jerome Heyward was shady—and that carried over to El Patio. Hopefully now, things will change.”
As of now, Stent has not provided a public statement about the lawsuit. A family member of the registered agent for El Patio also confirmed he no longer has any connection with the business.
The case continues as the community watches closely, calling for transparency, safety, and leadership that listens.
