The London Police Service (LPS) is expressing its frustration over after-hours clubs that operate without oversight, often circumventing liquor laws and local by-laws. The concerns come after a London man was shot multiple times inside an after-hours establishment on Richmond Row over the weekend. Early Sunday morning police cordoned off a plaza at Richmond and Mill streets. The investigation centered around an after-hours club at 691 Richmond St. Shop owner Barry Huggins runs the Pita Pit restaurant in the same plaza a few doors down. He arrived at his shop Sunday morning to discover the police activity. “When I came in Sunday morning, obviously everything was taped off. And it’s not a good look for customers coming into the store,” said Huggins. According to London police, shortly after 6 a.m. Sunday morning an adult male showed up in hospital with gunshot wounds. Police were contacted, and officers determined an altercation involving multiple people took place inside an after- hours club. A male victim had been assaulted, and police say when staff attempted to intervene, multiple gunshots were fired. The victim suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries. “These shooting incidences are our paramount concern,” explained LPS Det. Insp. Sean Travis. “We investigate thoroughly. We ensure that we follow every investigative lead possible, understanding the gravity of the safety of the situation.” So, what exactly are after-hours clubs? London police issued the following statement to help shed light on such businesses that sometimes operate outside established laws and regulations: “After-hours establishments, operate outside regulated hours and oversight, often to circumvent or contravene liquor licencing, municipal by-laws, or other applicable legislation, increasing the risk of violence and unsafe conditions for patrons and the surrounding community,” police said in a statement. Travis further explained that provincial and municipal governments have laws that stipulate operating terms or agreements, “such as how long alcohol can be served for, and the parameters under which a licence can be obtained. It’s meant to ensure public safety, safe consumption, and safety to the community, and the patrons of those establishments. If a club is deemed to be operating in that way, it is definitely a concern.” He added that there have been police interactions at this establishment in the past. The manager of the nearby Philthy Philly restaurant, who didn’t want his identity revealed, told CTV News there is often trouble in the area, especially on weekends, with violence spilling out onto the street from area clubs. “The shooting around this area is pretty common,” he said. “We have experienced so many complaints from the customers, from the different police. They come inside the restaurant asking for the footages and everything all the time, and that’s very common.” No arrests have been made at this time, and no weapon recovered. Anyone with information about the after-hours club shooting is asked to contact police. “Anyone with knowledge of the incident or may have information in the form of dashcam footage, video surveillance footage, businesses or other establishments- if they can support or help the investigation, to please contact us,” said Travis.
