Houston mayor files lawsuit against Spivey's Bar and Lounge after five people shot
Exclusive: Spivey's Bar and Lounge owner speaks out after Houston mayor files lawsuit
FOX 26?s Matthew Seedorff speaks exclusively with the Third Ward bar?s owner and lawyers, who says they?re fighting back against the lawsuit?s attempt to shut the popular nightclub down after five people were shot.
HOUSTON - Less than a week after a shooting outside Spivey's Bar and Lounge, the City of Houston has filed a lawsuit against the establishment.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced on Wednesday the city filed a Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 125 common nuisance lawsuit seeking a temporary and permanent injunction against the owners of the bar, the owner of the property, and the property itself.
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The lawsuit alleges that Spivey’s and the property owner "allow aggravated assaults and shootings to habitually occur on the premises and fail to take reasonable measures to abate such criminal activity."
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Residents in Houston's Third Ward are tired of the rise in crime. So they gathered together for the "No More Crime" event at Good Hope Church put on by a resident.
This comes a week after, five people shot outside Spivey’s Bar and Grill on Blodgett Street.
The shooting prompted Third Ward residents to gather at a "No More Crime" event, where they expressed concerns over the rise in crime in their community.
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Mayor Turner went to the event, where he promised to take action against Spivey's.
"You have a responsibility to make sure you protect your patrons and your neighbors and the people that are around you and if you do not, we will take whatever steps we need to take to shut you down," said Mayor Turner on Monday. "An action will be filed against Spivey's by Wednesday of this week."
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During an interview with Spivey's owner and his attorney, there are plans to fight back against the lawsuit.
"I can’t control what happens on the streets," said Eric Spivey, owner of Spivey’s. "I can control what happens in my establishment."
Spivey, and his attorney, tell FOX 26 they plan to hold a press conference Friday to voice their opposition to the city’s lawsuits.
"We believe their anger is misplaced [for recent crime in Houston]," said attorney Jason Johnson. "It’s been directed at Spivey’s. It’s been magnified by the mayor and the City of Houston."