Jacksonville, Florida - ICE Lounge Bar and Grill Shut Down After Man Wounded in Shooting

ICE Lounge Shut Down for Alcohol Violations After Shooting

The ICE Lounge Bar and Grill has been shut down following a Sunday morning shooting after authorities discovered that the business was selling alcohol after 2 a.m. This is the third report of a violent incident at the bar since October 2018 - with previous incidents involving a machete attack and a kidnapping.

Shortly before 3:30 a.m. on January 27, off-duty officers working at the bar were notified that a man had been shot in the back inside of the bar. His injuries were considered non-life-threatening and he was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

No suspect or witness information has been released at this time.

Previous Violence at the ICE Lounge Bar and Grill

The Sunday morning shooting marks the third incident that has resulted in police being called to the ICE Lounge Bar and Grill in the past three months.

In December, officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office responded to the bar after a woman allegedly attacked and injured a man with a machete in the parking lot.

In October, a man told the JSO that he was kidnapped from Tampa before being handcuffed and held hostage at the bar.

According to a report by Action News JAX, these violent incidents have prompted many neighbors to call for the closure of the ICE Lounge Bar and Grill.

Are Bar Owners Liable for Shootings on Their Properties?

Attorney contributor Michael Haggard represents crime victims in civil lawsuits. We've asked him to share some input regarding bar and nightclub owner liability for shootings on their properties:

There are many responsibilities involved with owning your own business, but the safety of customers, employees, and all other property visitors must be the top priority for all business owners. In fact, all types of property owners have a legal obligation to make sure their properties are free from foreseeable dangers that could lead to injuries, illnesses, or death. Foreseeable violent crime is included in this legal obligation.

In bar shooting cases where the bar had a history of violent incidents, the shooting may be considered foreseeable. If the bar owner failed to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of violent incidents (such as hiring security guards), he or she may be considered negligent. In cases that involve negligence, the victims and their families may have grounds for a lawsuit.

Have you or a loved one become the victim of a nightclub or bar shooting? We want to help your family find justice. Get in touch with one of our experienced crime victim attorneys to learn more about your legal options.