Violence struck in the night as two Atlanta neighborhoods were rocked by separate shootings involving security guards at popular local bars. In South Fulton, the situation escalated at the VVS Restaurant and Bar around 1:15 a.m. on a Wednesday when a security guard was shot after an argument turned violent. The guard is now in recovery at Grady Memorial Hospital, stated a report from FOX 5 Atlanta.
Meanwhile, in the bustling East Atlanta Village, The EARL bar, a venue known for showcasing indie talent since 1999 became a crime scene. Around 12:30 a.m. Thursday, a security guard was shot while trying to remove two belligerent patrons, according to a report by Atlanta News First. Despite the attack, local business owners maintain that East Atlanta Village is a safe and vibrant community.
In the aftermath of the shooting at The EARL, Micki Silvestros who chairs the safety committee for the East Atlanta Business Association expressed concern about the impact of such incidents on the neighborhood's reputation. "It’s tainting the perception of East Atlanta Village as an unsafe place to be and that’s not the case at all," Silvestros told Atlanta News First. In response to the shooting, plans to fortify the sense of safety through additional training for local business owners and their employees are being explored.
Despite these efforts, the specter of harm coming to those tasked with maintaining order can't be ignored. Tahirah Carter, owner of Faded Beauty Salon and Barber reflected on the gravity of such a situation saying, "I mean as a business owner. It’s not a good thing to have someone in your establishment [hurt]. You’re just trying to provide a safe service," in an interview with Atlanta News First. As the community rallies around The EARL, police investigations are ongoing, with the suspects from the latest shooting believed to have fled the scene in a rideshare vehicle.
Authorities are calling on anyone with information about either shooting to step forward. Any leads provided could be instrumental in bringing those responsible to justice and restoring peace to the shaken communities. In the meantime, the businesses affected are expected to press on, bolstered by their surrounding communities but shaken by the sudden violence that pierced their nightlife.
