Little River bar knew about gang activity before deadly holiday shooting, lawsuit claims
The mother of a teenager hurt in an alleged gang shooting at a Little River bar is suing the owner for not having security and allowing criminal activity.
A shooting at Drinking Class Sports Bar the night of Dec. 31, 2023, killed two underage men and left two other people injured. James Myron Bellamy, 20, died in the hospital after the shooting, and Kron Fox, 19, died on the scene, The Sun News previously reported.
Kenyetta Crawford, the parent of a minor who was shot, is suing Drinking Class, owner Chester Wheeler and the two John Does who open fired and drove away for negligence.
The Sun News was unable to get in contact with Wheeler before publication.
Wheeler became aware of potential gang activity at his bar around Nov. 18, 2023, the lawsuit states. He met with the Horry County Police Department on Dec. 5, 2023, to talk about how gang members had been patronizing his business. Police suggested he raise the minimum age to enter.
Later in December, police met with Wheeler again to talk to him about an increase in police calls to the bar. In 2023, there were 37 police calls made to the establishment and an open nuisance case was opened against Drinking Class. Police informed them about dangerous conditions at the bar and potential remedies.
“Defendants had actual knowledge of violent, criminal activity at the subject premises, yet failed to take proper safety measures to protect Defendants patrons,” the lawsuit said.
Crawford’s son went to the bar on New Year’s Eve and while there was shot four times and left severely injured, according to the lawsuit. The people who fired the guns drove away and have not been caught, but are named on the lawsuit as John Doe 1 and 2.
The lawsuit argues Wheeler was negligent because he failed to add proper security measures or improve the safety of his bar, leading to the New Year’s shooting.
After the shooting, Drinking Class raised its minimum age to 25 for women and 30 for men. Not long after, the bar’s alcohol license was revoked. Drinking Class eventually closed in early 2024.
Crawford asks for an undetermined amount of damages to be determined by a jury.
