Louisville, Kentucky: Caterer Loses Alcohol License After Mellwood Shooting Wounds Three Men

Louisville Metro Alcoholic Beverage Control has suspended the alcohol license of the caterer that worked an event at the Mellwood Art Center, after a shooting outside the center early on Sunday wounded three men, officials said. Police have not announced any arrest, and the conditions of the three men had not been released.

The shooting

Louisville Metro police officers responded at about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, to the 1800 block of Mellwood Avenue, near Muncie Avenue, in the Clifton neighborhood, police spokesperson Chris Baker said. Officers found two men with gunshot wounds, and both were taken to UofL Hospital. A third man flagged down an ambulance near Preston Highway and East Gray Street at about the same time. Police said early information indicates he was wounded in the same shooting, and he was also taken to UofL Hospital. Police have not said what led to the shooting or who fired the shots. The department's Non-Fatal Shooting Unit is leading the investigation.

The suspension

On Monday, Metro ABC issued an Emergency Suspension Order to Happy Endings, LLC, the licensed alcohol caterer for an event hosted at the art center, according to a statement from the agency. Officials said the order followed serious public safety concerns and a preliminary finding that the business had violated its catering license. The agency did not specify the alleged violation in the statement reported this week. "ABC remains committed to protecting public safety and ensuring that alcoholic beverage licensees operate in accordance with both State and local laws and regulations," officials said.

Tenants react

The shooting has added to safety worries among the artists and small businesses that rent space at the center. Cheyenne Martis, who owns Alchemy Massage Therapy, told WDRB and WAVE that car break-ins have been a repeated problem in the lot. "They say the parking lot is being monitored, but we've had troubles with even proms here. It's scary but it didn't surprise me," Martis said. She said she is moving out of her space for several reasons, with safety in the area one of them, and that she had already stopped working as late as 9 p.m. and now leaves by 6 or 7 p.m. Elias Feghaly, who makes fine jewelry and perfume at his shop Kulli Atelier, said people at the center need to watch out for each other and can still gather safely. The Mellwood Art Center declined to comment on the investigation, WDRB and WAVE reported.