GREENSBORO, N.C. — UPDATE (March 10): The property owner of Electric Tequila Culture Lounge pulled the lease. The lounge is no longer operational.
UPDATE: Greensboro police identified the victims who died in the shooting as Mohsin Hamid, 33, and Devonte Johnson, 28.
Two men died, and a woman went to the hospital after a shooting inside Culture Lounge early Friday morning, Greensboro police said.
Investigators said around 100 guests were inside the club on Spring Garden Street when shots rang out.
GPD, Guilford County EMS, and UNCG Campus Police responded around 1:20 a.m. Police said EMS began life-saving measures on "multiple gunshot victims inside the business."
Police said, based on interviews, they learned a fight happened right before shots rang out. Detectives said it was not a random act of violence.
Ali Jama said his friend, Mohsin Hamid, was at Culture Lounge Thursday night. He said Hamid jumped in to help, but the shooter doubled back, firing more shots — one of those hitting Hamid. Family and friends gathered around Spring Garden Street as they were searching for answers after Hamid and another man were killed.
Jama said Hamid had just celebrated his 33rd birthday and called his actions selfless.
"He didn't know anybody, either the shooter or the victim, but when the moment got tough, and everybody was running away, the shooter doubled back and shot him (Hamid) as well," Jama said.
A woman was also shot and taken to the hospital. She is listed in stable condition.
Greensboro Mayor Vaughan went to the crime scene while investigators were collecting evidence.
She told WFMY News 2 that she plans to reach out to the state ABC commission and organize a group to come up with solutions to stop gun violence at local bars and clubs.
"A lot of conversations I've had today with other club owners throughout the city all mention promoters. Last time, we had talked about doing a possible promoter ordinance, and we have to see if that's something we can do," Vaughan said.
She said local businesses in the area complain about promoters.
"They've said a promoter will come in and promote a thing and go back to Atlanta or wherever they come from and leave us with the wreckage," Vaughan said.
This is the 10th homicide recorded in Greensboro this year.
Police have not officially identified any of the victims at this time, and no arrests have been made.
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