IT IS A NIGHTMARE AND NONE OF US WOKE UP FROM IT YET. >> WE KNOW TONIGHT THAT LAVISH LOUNGE SHOULDN’T HAVE BEEN OPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE. NIGHTCLUBS AND CONCERTS FALL UNDER GOVERNOR MCMASTER’ CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS OF ACTIVITIES NOT ALLOWED TO HAPPEN. HE SAID THIS ON THURSDAY. >> I CANNOT LIFT THOSE RESTRICTIONS, THOSE PROHIBITIONS IF THESE NUMBERS CONTINUE TO RISE AND THE DANGER PERSISTS. I CAN’T DO IT. I WON’T DO IT. JOE: SHERIFF HOBART LEWIS SAYS HE CHECKED AND LAVISH LOUNGE HAD NO EXEMPTION TO OPEN THEIR DOORS. OUR TAGGART HOUCK LOOKS AT GROWING CALLS TO SHUT DOWN THE CLUB. >> AS DEPUTIES INVESTIGATED WHAT HAPPENED EARLY SUNDAY MORNING AT THE LAVISH LOUNGE, THERE WERE QUESTIONS. HOW COULD IT HAVE BEEN OPEN? >> THIS CLUB SHOULDN’T HAVE BEEN OPEN THEY SHOULDN’T HAVE BEEN OPERATING TODAY. >> AND THAT’S ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNORS OFFICE, GOV. HENRY MCMASTER’S STATE OF EMERGENCY OUTLAWS NIGHT CLUBS, AND CONCERTS DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC GREENVILLE COUNTY SHERIFF HOBART LEWIS SAYS THIS QUALIFIED AS BOTH. HE SAYS THERE WERE AT LEAST 200 PEOPLE INSIDE EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. >> WHOEVER OPENED THIS CLUB I WOULD SAY ASSUMES 100% RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHO CAME IN LAST NIGHT AND WHO GOT TO GO HOME. IF THOSE CLUB OWNERS ARE WATCHING, I HOPE THEY SLEEP WELL TONIGHT BECAUSE IT’S THEIR FAULT, 100%. >> I EXPECT CRIMINAL CHARGES TO BE FILED AGAINST THE CLUB OWNER AND ANYONE CONNECTED TO THE CLUB BECAUSE THIS WAS WRONG AND THEY VIOLATED THE GOVERNORS ORDER AND THEY ARE VIOLATING THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA LAWS. >> THE CLUB ITSELF WOULD RECEIVE A CITATION FOR THE VIOLATION. LEWIS SAYS COMBINED WITH PEOPLE HAVING GUNS INSIDE, HE’S COMMITTED TO SHUTTING IT DOWN. HE SAYS THE GOVERNOR HAS OFFERED TO HELP. >> WE DON’T HAVE A PLACE FOR THIS IN GREENVILLE. IT IS TRAGIC.
Advertisement
Greenville County Sheriff: Lavish Lounge shouldn’t have been open
Sheriff says club violated governor’s state of emergency for COVID-19
Updated: 11:20 PM EDT Jul 5, 2020
After a shooting at the Lavish Lounge in Greenville County early Sunday morning Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis said the club violated Gov. Henry McMaster’s State of Emergency by staying open. “This club shouldn’t have been open, they shouldn’t have been operating today,” said Lewis. Gov. McMaster’s State of Emergency specifically outlaws night clubs and concerts, among other venues and events. Sheriff Lewis said Lavish Lounge was serving as both a club and a concert when the shooting happened early Sunday morning. He told WYFF News 4 there were at least 200 people inside at the time. “Whoever opened this club, I would say, assumes 100% responsibility for who came in last night, and who got to go home and what they brought into that club, ” said Lewis. “So, if those club owners are watching, I hope they sleep well tonight. Because it’s their fault, 100%.”The club owner, or owners, would receive a $200 citation for the violation, said Lewis. He said combined with people having guns inside, he’s committed to shutting the club down. Sheriff Lewis said Governor McMaster called Sunday and offered to help. “With those violations, we don’t have a place for this here in Greenville,” he said. “Really, it’s tragic, it’s unnecessary, it’s nonsense.”
After a shooting at the Lavish Lounge in Greenville County early Sunday morning Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis said the club violated Gov. Henry McMaster’s State of Emergency by staying open.
“This club shouldn’t have been open, they shouldn’t have been operating today,” said Lewis.
Advertisement
Gov. McMaster’s State of Emergency specifically outlaws night clubs and concerts, among other venues and events.
Sheriff Lewis said Lavish Lounge was serving as both a club and a concert when the shooting happened early Sunday morning.
He told WYFF News 4 there were at least 200 people inside at the time.
“Whoever opened this club, I would say, assumes 100% responsibility for who came in last night, and who got to go home and what they brought into that club, ” said Lewis. “So, if those club owners are watching, I hope they sleep well tonight. Because it’s their fault, 100%.”
The club owner, or owners, would receive a $200 citation for the violation, said Lewis.
He said combined with people having guns inside, he’s committed to shutting the club down.
Sheriff Lewis said Governor McMaster called Sunday and offered to help.
“With those violations, we don’t have a place for this here in Greenville,” he said. “Really, it’s tragic, it’s unnecessary, it’s nonsense.”
