Augusta authorities want to put the Deans Bridge Road bar where a Grovetown woman was killed May 12 on probation.
The scene of the morning’s car-ramming incident and firearm homicide, Suz Lounge also hosted boxing matches and gambling, according to a letter from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
The popular south Augusta nightclub, the former Chong’s Lounge, is owned by 2020 school board candidate, juvenile court official and nonprofit manager Samantha Moses, records show.
Moses reincorporated Suz Lounge 2.0 this year after a prior registration lapsed.
Around 4:30 a.m. May 12, the club was closing when a woman began ramming cars in the parking lot, according to the letter.
Prior reports said she was drunk and angry at not being able to retrieve her phone from inside.
The driver, Makala Perkins, was pronounced dead after being shot in her car.
Two suspects arrested for her murder, Julius Morris III and Raheem Carter, have claimed they shot at Perkins in self defense. Neither had been indicted for homicide as of Friday.
Investigators responding to the bar incident discovered a boxing ring inside the club, which it was not licensed to have, according to the letter.
The club, which remained open two hours past the required closing time, also was allowing gambling on a pool table, investigators said.
Moses told authorities she was unaware of the hours the bar was keeping, or that gambling was allowed. She also said she didn’t know having a boxing ring was not allowed, the letter said.
Going through the city Public Service Committee Tuesday is the recommendation that Moses’ alcohol, business and dance licenses be placed on probation for her violating the occupational tax, alcohol and dance ordinances.
Augusta may revoke, suspend or place on probation a business license if the owner fails to adequately supervise the conduct of employees, patrons and others on the premises, including in parking lots.
The city’s alcohol licensing code includes penalties for permitting anyone to violate laws or regulations, while the dance license code includes penalties for violating sheriff’s office, health department or city planning regulations.
