GREENSBORO, N.C. — The shootout outside Electric Tequila has created concerns and raised questions ever since it happened.
Now, it has powerful groups and figures in Greensboro at odds.
We heard from the legal team of Kotis Properties - a prominent development group in the city. It said Kotis Properties is committed to fostering safety.
Mayor Nancy Vaughan said at last week’s city council meeting that it's a front. She claimed Kotis Properties only canceled the lease with Electric Tequila to keep the building from losing its permit to sell alcohol.
When we asked Kotis Properties about the mayor's allegations, Kotis Properties' legal team responded and said they ended the lease because of "uncured defaults by the tenant as provided by the lease."
The ALE got involved and charged the bar owner for not having proper supervision and not doing enough to stop the fight that led to this shooting almost two weeks ago.
Video shows folks running for cover when dozens of shots were fired outside the bar.
A few days later, the bar owner turned over his ABC permit.
Now, chains bond the doors and a sign is posted saying the landlord has the property.
Mayor Nancy Vaughan said this should've happened sooner because other incidents happened at Electric Tequila.
“That was a culmination of 18 months. There were enough notices and discussions with Electric Tequila that there was an issue here. It simply holds people accountable for their actions or inaction,” Mayor Vaughan shared.
A lawyer for Kotis Properties said in a statement, "Kotis Properties has made important contributions to the city for over 60 years and Kotis Properties is committed to fostering growth, opportunity, and safety within the City, and we stand ready to work with the city to achieve these important goals."
As for the investigation, police haven't arrested anyone.
WFMY News 2 has made repeated requests to the department to speak with the police chief to learn more, but it has denied all of them.
The city council is expected to give a safety briefing on Thursday at a work session.
