Security guard dead following latest in string of shootings at Atlanta nightclubs, bars

ATLANTA — Atlanta’s mayor and police chief are responding to a surge in violent shootings at nightclubs.

The latest happened early Wednesday morning on Luckie Street.  A security guard died. A gunman shot the security guard after he threw him out of the nightclub.

There’s no sign outside the building, which is called the Encore Hookah bar and bistro.

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Around 1 a.m., a patron got in a fight with a 28-year-old security guard, and then started shooting.

Atlanta’s mayor is now fuming over yet another nightclub shooting.

“The security guard who was trying to protect the facility and patrons, was murdered by someone,” Mayor Andre Dickens said.

“The incident that happened at Encore last night is very tragic,” Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant said.

Police say the security guard was in the process of kicking a man out of the club around 1 a.m. when they got into a fight and the man opened fire.

The security guard later died at Grady Memorial Hospital.

Police are asking for help to identify the suspect who was caught on the club’s surveillance camera.

Dickens said the club is on his radar.

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“What I’m going to be doing is having a conversation with that particular club, Encore, because they have been a violator a number of times,” Dickens said.

In just a week’s time, gunfire has erupted at seven bars or nightclubs in Atlanta leaving several people wounded.

In this case, a young man, just doing his job, is now dead.

Bryant vows tougher enforcement in and around drinking establishments that stay open late and are often backdrops to violent encounters.

“The mayor and I spoke this morning as well as yesterday on coming up with a very aggressive plan on what we are doing around nightclubs and night activity. You will see some developments as it relates to that,” Bryant said.

Channel 2′s Tom Regan spoke with someone Wednesday who answered the door to Encore and asked for the manager but was told that person wasn’t available to comment on the shooting.

Police haven’t released the name of the security guard.

The mayor and chief hinted they are taking steps to close down the club.

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect in this case should contact 911 or Crime Stoppers Atlanta.

Information on the case can be submitted anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.StopCrimeATL.com.

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