Chaotic aftermath as booze left out after Atlanta club owners evicted
Thirsty crowds rushed to gather liquor from the premises of a former gentlemen's club in Atlanta, causing pandemonium Wednesday evening after its owners faced eviction.
Patrons scrambled to grab boxes of alcohol that were left outside Republic Lounge, which recently had its business license revoked following the fatal shooting of a co-owner last month.
The scene outside the club was boisterous, with hundreds of people jostling to get their hands on the free booze. Police attempted to maintain order, but were overwhelmed by the size of the crowd.
"It was like a free-for-all," said witness Felicia Andrews. "People were actually fighting over the bottles."
Republic Lounge has been the subject of much controversy over the past few months. In addition to the fatal shooting, the club has also been cited for multiple code violations.
The city of Atlanta has taken action against the owners, revoking their business license and ordering them to vacate the premises.
But while the club may be officially closed, the chaos outside its doors is a reminder of its troubled past.
"It's unfortunate to see such a scene in our city," said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. "We are committed to working with law enforcement to ensure that our residents feel safe and secure."
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