DETROIT – A violent attack outside a Detroit bar on Sunday morning left one man dead and his brother in critical condition, prompting community leaders and law enforcement to address safety concerns in the area.
The incident occurred outside Chita’s Neffertiti Bar on Grand River Avenue, steps away from the headquarters of Detroit 300, a community violence intervention organization that works to reduce crime in the city.
At a community meeting on Wednesday (Jan. 7), following the attack, Detroit police 8th Precinct Commander Dietrich Lever announced new security measures, including the launch of a “bar detail” to proactively patrol bars in the area.
“They frequent the bars. If it gets out of hand, we’ll stage right there, we’ll turn on our lights. To start some conversations, to start some presence,” Lever said.
The violence began with an altercation inside the bar that spilled onto the street.
Lever said the business has no history of violent incidents.
He said in the past eight years, police have recorded 50 reports at the location, primarily for minor incidents such as larceny, with only one previous assault.
“I have been in talks with the community; it seems like more of a one-off than an everyday type of situation,” Lever said.
The bar’s owner declined to give an interview or comment beyond a social media post announcing the bar will now only serve customers over the age of 30.
“What happened does not reflect who we are, what we stand for, or the values our space was built on. We are heartbroken and deeply saddened by this loss,” the statement reads in part.
Arthur Edge, president of Detroit 300, expressed concerns about the bar’s impact on neighborhood safety and said the organization will be reaching out to the bar’s owner.
“I’m not saying that they can’t make money, but they need to respect the community. If their activities are spilling over into the neighborhoods and affecting neighborhoods, then that’s why we need to have conversations,” Edge said.
Some community members at the meeting questioned the bar’s swift reopening.
“When stuff like this escalates out in the streets and out in the community, and less than a week later they’re back open, how the hell can you say the community’s safe?” one resident asked.
Police continue to search for two suspects believed to be involved in the attack.
Meanwhile, Lever said police are working to arrange a community meeting with the bar owner to address residents’ concerns.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Detroit Police Department Homicide Section at 313-596-2260, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP, or Detroitrewards.tv.