BUFFALO, N.Y. — The City of Buffalo has shut down Club Marcella, a popular LGBTQ+ nightclub, after a series of shootings in and outside the club this year.
The Buffalo Police Department hung an order of immediate closure on the club’s door just before 5 p.m. Sunday, stating, “A dire emergency currently exists in the area of 106 Michigan Ave, as a result of the disruptive and violent behavior that has taken place immediately inside and outside of Club Marcella.”
The latest incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning when a 30-year-old male was shot in the bathroom. He was taken to ECMC to be treated and is in stable condition.
Sunday’s shooting was the fourth to take place at the club this year.
A security guard was shot in the parking lot on Jan. 29.
Two weeks later on Feb. 12, there was a triple shooting where Jorge Garcia Leon, 21, was killed inside the club and two others were injured. Twenty-year-old Sharief McBroom was charged in April in connection to the murder.
On Oct. 1, two patrons of the club were shot across the street when a person fired multiple times from a vehicle.
The notice from Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia stated that in addition to the four shootings, there have been 45 service calls, 14 assault calls, and eight threats from the club this year. Seven people have been shot and one was killed.
Buffalo Common Council member Mitch Nowakowski, who represents the Fillmore District where Club Marcella sits, released a statement on the decision Sunday evening.
"I am beyond disappointed and alarmed by the news of another shooting at Club Marcella early this morning,” Nowakowski said. “Ensuring the safety and stability of the Cobblestone District is paramount. Therefore, I support the Police Commissioners decision for an immediate closure prioritizing the safety of everyone in the surrounding area amidst ongoing safety and security concerns.”
Legal experts say there could be potential issues with the notice that could lead Club Marcella to take the city to court.
“For Club Marcella to be told that without any form of a hearing, without any true investigation, that we're going to shut you down first and then figure out what we want to do really does seem to be a violation of their due process rights,” attorney and legal analyst Barry Covert said.
2 On Your Side reached out to the club’s owner for comment, but he declined to speak.
Anyone with information on this shooting, or any other crime in the city, is asked to call or text the Confidential TIPCALL Line at 716-847-2255.
The Buffalo Police have announced that 2 people are now in custody as of 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 4.