Chaos erupted at a Connecticut strip joint just before the New Year's ball dropped, as two men were shot at Lucky's Cabaret in Vernon. The incident unfolded in the venue's parking lot, with gunshots piercing the cold December night mere moments before the dawn of 2024, according to the Boston Herald. Police responded to the 911 call received at 11:56 p.m., and upon arrival, discovered the injured duo suffering from wounds to their lower extremities.
Vernon Police rapidly moved to swiftly administer aid to the victims, who have since been declared stable. The incident is now under intense scrutiny, with Vernon Police Lt. Robert Marra revealing that detectives are aggressively pursuing leads and are in the process of obtaining a search warrant. The wounded men were rapidly transported to Hartford Hospital by Vernon EMS for treatment, "They’re going to be fine," Lt. Marra told the CT Insider.
The venue, known as Lucky's Cabaret, located at 65 Windsor Ave., is now at the epicenter of a complex investigation. As previous events are brought to light, it was revealed that the establishment has faced scrutiny before, with their liquor license suspended back on September 10, 2018 for three violations including improper exposure and a minor dancer violation. The strip club had also paid a $1,500 fine.
Details remain scarce about the gunplay that led to the holiday horror, and investigators are trying to piece together whether the men shot at each other or were the targets of a third party’s gunfire. The Vernon Police Department is earnestly seeking information from any witness, urging them to come forward by contacting the Vernon Police Department Detective Division at 860-872-9126. Additionally, Lt. Marra stated plans to certainly notify the Liquor Control Division of the state Department of Consumer Protection regarding the shooting, though the current status of the club’s permit remains under wraps. This violent start to the new year casts a pall over the community, leaving many questions unanswered as the investigation continues.
