New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
State agency probes East Haven bar after fatal shooting
EAST HAVEN — A local bar has been referred to the state Department of Consumer Protection following a weekend fatal shooting that left one person dead and another wounded, according to police.
East Haven police said 26year-old Southington resident Julius Bolden-Lowe was killed in the gunfire that erupted following a fight around closing time at BullsEye Billiards and Bar on Main Street early Saturday morning. The condition of the second shooting victim was not known on Monday.
East Haven Police Capt. Joseph Murgo said officers are posted around closing time to keep patrons safe as they leave bars.
“During this incident, several police officers were in the parking lot patrolling the area, with one (police officer) even encountering a gunshot victim who ran up to him during the incident,” he said.
Murgo said police have been called to the bar for other recent incidents, including fights and a double-stabbing, prior to Saturday’s incident.
“Bullseye Billards has been the location of periodic issues over the last two years,” Murgo said.
Murgo did not say how many total incidents have been reported at the bar in the past year.
“As a result of this latest issue, the bar has been referred to the Department of Consumer Protection / Liquor Control for follow up,” he said. “It’s clear that proper safety measures were not employed the night of the shooting, which is what will be addressed moving forward.”
A DCP spokesperson did not immediately respond for comment.
In September 2020, Bullseye Billards was among three bars ordered to temporarily close after the establishment was accused of violating the state’s COVID regulations. The bar’s patrons “were observed sitting at the bar and being served drinks without ordering food,” according to an inspection report from Sept. 8, 2020.
A co-owner of the bar told Hearst Connecticut Media at the time the patrons were waiting for their food to be served.