THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, June 11, 1996 TAG: 9606110312
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ANGELITA PLEMMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: 51 lines
The Showcase nightclub, formerly known as The Ebony Showcase, is being investigated by the state liquor board following two shootings there over the weekend.
On Sunday, police arrested Bao Ngioc Tran, 20, of Hampton, and accused him of firing a weapon into a crowd outside the club at 2850 Airline Blvd. around 1:15 a.m. No one was hurt.
Tran was arrested a few blocks from the club. He was charged with discharging a firearm, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and damaging a city vehicle. Police said Tran's car ran into a police car and he had a minor with him during the shooting. Police had no motive for the shooting.
In another incident outside the club around the same time Sunday, a woman reported to police that she was grazed by a bullet. She said a man grabbed her as she was walking out of the club. She told the man to leave her alone, but he returned with a weapon and began firing. Several gunshots were fired outside the club as the crowd quickly scattered.
Police said they did not know if the two shootings are related.
``The investigation is ongoing,'' said Robert Chapman, a spokesman for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. ``We're working in conjunction with the Portsmouth Police Department.''
Last month, in lieu of a 90-day suspension of their liquor license, owners of The Showcase agreed to pay a $5,000 fine and remain on probation for a year after violating the state's alcoholic beverage control laws.
The ABC board charged the owners with maintaining a noisy or disorderly establishment, being a nuisance to neighbors and letting the club be used as a meeting place for drug users.
In February, the club re-opened after the City Council failed to have it permanently closed. The owners promised to cater to an older crowd and change their marketing approach. The club's operators also agreed to stop all entertainment at 1 a.m. and adhere to the city's noise ordinance.
For two years, the club has been a thorn in the side of residents in the Collinswood neighborhood. Homeowners have called the club a nuisance and have complained to the City Council about loud music and rowdy patrons.
In September 1994, a weekend shooting spree caused panic among the club's patrons when 70 to 90 shots were fired in and around the club. No one was seriously injured. ILLUSTRATION: THE SHOWCASE'S RECENT FINE
Last month, in lieu of a 90-day suspension of their liquor license,
owners of the club agreed to pay a $5,000 fine and remain on
probation for a year after violating alcoholic beverage control
laws.
KEYWORDS: SHOOTINGS SHOWCASE NIGHTCLUB ARREST by CNB