Ocala.com

Ocala, FL, USA

Saturday, 26 May 2007

An end-of-school bash for teens at Club Blue ended in bloodshed late Thursday night, prompting Ocala police officials to seek a revocation of the club's liquor license.

The club, which has been the scene of previous violence by young people, won't host any more teen events, according to club officials.

Police were called to the club at midnight because of a reported stabbing. There, officers found Quincy Jones, 18, lying in the entry way with a single stab wound to the back. Jones told officers that 18-year-old Emmanuel V. Barnes of Marion Oaks had stabbed him.

Jones, who is also from Marion Oaks, was transported to Shands hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he was in stable condition Friday.

Barnes was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a weapon. He was being held on $5,000 bond Friday at the Marion County Jail.

Officers reported encountering a crowd of almost 400 young people in the vicinity of the nightclub and several altercations. They spent more than an hour clearing out the parking lots.

Tina Anastasia and her husband, John, own the building, and the club is operated by Dana Valentino and his brother Carmine Valentino. As a result of the stabbing, the club will no longer cater to teenagers, they said.

"We are very upset about the incident last night, and we're not opening this weekend," she said.

Thursday's teen night at the club was labeled the "Last Day of School Bash," with a cover charge of $15. Fliers promoting the event advertised several contests for cash, including an "ass shakin'Ê" competition and a "wipe me down" contest. The fliers also said the event was scheduled to run from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Florida law forbids minors unaccompanied by an adult from being in a public place or establishment between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. from Sunday through Thursday, and between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Ocala Police Department Deputy Chief Greg Graham said the law applies to those under 16.

Graham said the flier was seen by police officials on May 24. Graham said he told management he had two problems with the advertisement. First, the event was slated to end at 2 a.m., which would be a violation of the teen curfew law. Graham said he was also concerned about the nature of the contests, given the age of Club Blue's patrons.

Asked about those concerns Friday, Tina Anastasia acknowledged that the fliers advertising the hours for event were a problem that should have been "clarified," but said it was too late to change them, because the promoters had printed the fliers at least a month in advance. She also said she wasn't happy about the raunchy promotions.

Graham said when officers went to the club at 11:15 p.m. Thursday, police found seven 13-year-olds in the building. There was a sign at the front saying those under 16 had to be picked up by 11 p.m., Graham said.

Tina Anastasia said, in addition to the sign, club officials did other things to warn teens to leave the building before 11 p.m. She said that message was announced over the club's public address system and employees told teens about the requirement as they entered the building.

Roughly 45 minutes later, the stabbing occurred.

Even though the club's management told police they would no longer host events aimed at teens, Graham informed club officials the police department will request a hearing in front of the City Council to revoke Club Blue's license allowing the sale of alcohol.

The club was placed on a one-year probation by city officials late last year for violating the city's ordinance banning customers under age 21 from clubs and lounges serving liquor. Although their alcohol permit was revoked, club officials were given permission to continue selling alcohol providing they didn't violate their probation. The City Council has the final say on whether or not the club's alcohol permit should be revoked.

Graham said it's the first time an establishment had to face the council again following a revocation hearing.

Tina Anastasia said she'll be glad to speak to City Council. Taking away their liquor license however, is "harsh," she said.

While Graham applauds the Anastasias for trying to provide entertainment for youngsters, he thinks management "didn't do enough to provide a safe environment for children."

According to police reports, from March 1 through the latest incident, officers have responded 25 times to Club Blue - the former Posh 27, located at 2711 S.W. 27th Ave.

Some of the calls included security checks, teen curfew violations and loud music complaints. In March, several people, including teens, were arrested outside the club following a massive brawl.