Sharky’s bar, which was the site of an attempted murder with a gun at the end of January, closes at midnight and all guests have to leave the place an hour later.
Posted at 5:00 am
The Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) and the Litigation Department of the Régie des alcools, des Courses et des Jeux and the owners of the facility on Boulevard de L’Acadie in the Cartierville sector have reached an agreement that was ratified by the RACJ on Friday became.
Sharky’s alcohol licenses were urgently suspended and the bar was temporarily closed due to violent events that broke out on the morning of January 29th.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, LA PRESSE ARCHIVE
Crime scene setup outside Sharky’s Bar, January 29th
Just before 6:10 a.m. that morning, two different gunmen opened fire at the facility when it was supposed to close at 3 a.m.
Shooting continued outside and one man was seriously injured. Miraculously, he survived.
Possible conflict between gang members
Images captured by the facility’s surveillance cameras and a police report of those events were filed with the RACJ on Friday.
From the videos we can see that it all starts with an argument. A man shoots into the air, causing panic among customers. Then they go down a corridor and up a flight of stairs without knowing where to turn.
PHOTO BY LINKEDIN
Simon Sener is suspected of attempted murder.
The two gunmen were arrested, including the suspected perpetrator of the attempted murder, Simon Sener, 27, who appeared at the Montreal courthouse on Thursday.
A clash between members of street gangs is said to have been the background to at least one of the two shootings that took place that same morning.
Another clientele after midnight
The SPVM considers Sharky’s Bar to be a problematic venue, particularly as it is a regular hangout for street gang members.
The bar is open seven days a week and is frequented by regulars who are usually occupied with the many video poker machines until around midnight, after which the crowd changes and is much busier.
In addition, the establishment regularly continues its activities after the legal time set at 3 a.m.
“There are several witnesses who tell us that the alcohol is being served and that the number of people very often exceeds the closing time of the bar, not only on the night of the main event, but also before that event. Employees from nearby businesses and witnesses in the area say the bar is often open until the early hours. There aren’t many bars on the island that are open 7 days a week, so it attracts a certain clientele,” said police officer Sandro Di Matteo of the SPVM.
Sharky’s owners have pledged to stop selling alcohol at midnight and not have customers in their store after 1am.
They have also agreed to hire two bouncers to use a metal detector to make sure there are no guns in the bar and to check customers’ ages.
A manager and waitress who were present during the January 29 events were also fired.
Administrative Judge Natalia Ouellet accepted the agreement and the pledge of the bar owners, but assumed there was a follow-up to the file.
Another deadline for the form has been set for the end of April.
To reach Daniel Renaud, dial 514.285-7000, extension 4918, write to [email protected] or write to the La Presse mailing address.