The Augusta Public Service Committee will hear from the Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 12 in the wake of an early morning shooting that occurred at the Sumyung Ho Nightclub where four people were injured, including an underage person who was not supposed to be allowed into the club.
On Friday, Sep. 17 at approximately 2 a.m., Richmond County deputies responded to a call of a fight on the dance floor of Sumyung Ho, located at 519 Broad St., that ended with gunshots being fired. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that four people; identified as Larry Latham, Trudale Foster, Jamal Lee and club security guard Jerome Stroud, were all shot in the lower extremities.
MORE: Two in Custody After Broad Street Club Shooting Injures Four
According to police records, Kameron Jones, 24, and Bertam Owens, 32, were both taken into custody and each charged with four counts of aggravated assault. Owens, who has a criminal record for cocaine possession and DUI, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
All four victims were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries where it was discovered that one of the victims, who is not identified out of the four injured, was underage and clearly intoxicated, according to a letter sent to commissioners by Investigator Jose Ortiz.
In the letter, Ortiz says that he spoke with the bar owner, Mark Lassic, who stated that normally he has his security staff use a metal detection wand to prevent weapons from entering the building. However, the wand was not employed that particular night.
In terms of underage people gaining entrance to the bar, Lassic placed the blame on promoters circumventing his staff and allowing such illegal actions to occur, according to Ortiz’ letter.
“In addition to the wand not being used, a minor was found to be in the club under the influence of alcohol. After speaking with the owner of the club, Mark Lassic, he advised at times when there are promoters, the promoter will tell security to allow someone in the club. The security officer will allow them in without being checked,” the letter from Ortiz reads.
The nightclub opened in early 2020 and touts itself on Facebook as “a new nightclub Downtown Augusta and we are catering to the more mature crowd.”
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is asking that the bar be placed on probation.
Rob Sherman, director of the Planning and Zoning Department, said his department does not make recommendations in such matters, but after hearing both sides, the Public Services Committee could recommend probation, suspension or outright revocation of the bar’s liquor license.
A final decision as to the bar’s fate will be made at the next full commission meeting on Oct. 19.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
