The City of Atlanta is cracking down on a Buckhead hotspot, Elleven45 Lounge, after a deadly Mother's Day shooting claimed the lives of two young people, escalating long-standing concerns about violence and safety at the venue. Officials have filed a legal motion seeking to permanently shut the establishment down by labeling it a public nuisance.
In the aftermath of the shooting, which left 21-year-old Albany State volleyball player Mari Creighton dead, the city has lodged a multi-faceted case against the club, citing a history plagued by violence. A complaint uncovered by 11Alive notes a shocking list of 12 violent incidents connected to Elleven45 Lounge since 2020, including fatal shootings, stabbings, and assaults.
This action by the city arrives as a part of a broader initiative to address nightclubs that become a seedbed for perilous activities, flouting the safety of patrons and residents alike. According to a report by FOX 5 Atlanta, Atlanta City Councilman Michael Bond expressed serious concerns, stating, "Atlanta is an open city known for its hospitality, known for its tourism and to have someone just seemingly come in unchecked and was able to assault and murder two people is very, very disturbing."
The Superior Court filings reveal the city's aim for a Temporary Restraining Order against the club, including its manager and the property owners. Residents and individuals familiar with Elleven45 have characterized the establishment as a constant source of disarray. Local Brenda Messick told 11Alive, "There just seems to be a lot more chaos when the club's open." The nightclub's reputation for danger has dismayed many and led over 13,000 people to sign a petition demanding its closure.
The pressure for accountability extends beyond civic and legal measures. Tiffany Eason, Mari Creighton's oldest sister, expressed the family's grief and determination for justice in a statement obtained by 11Alive, saying, "Everybody dropped the ball that night. Nobody should’ve been in the club with a gun." The city echoes this sentiment, asserting in the complaint that the club "failed to provide for adequate security and safeguards."
