CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State Alcohol Beverage Control Agency Commissioner Ron Moats has decided to suspend the alcohol license of a Charleston bar for another 10 days while an investigation continues.
Moats issued the first 10-day suspension July 4 after a shooting early that morning at the Monkey Barrel bar on Leon Sullivan Way in downtown Charleston. Three people were shot inside the bar, according to Charleston police. None of their injuries were life-threatening.
Commissioner Moats needs additional time to investigate, ABCA spokesman Gig Robinson said Tuesday.
“Our investigation is continuing and this suspension allows us to look into the matter and the events that led up to that shooting that occurred inside,” Robinson said.
Charleston police arrested Derek Skylar Brown and charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Another man was charged last week–his car was parked outside the bar. No direct shooting charges have been filed.
Public safety is the top priority for the ABCA, Robinson said.
“We’re making sure that a license does operate within the code and the administrative regulatory powers allows the commissioner to issue warnings, issue suspensions, issue fines and move to revocate in the most extreme case,” Robinson said.
The new suspension runs through July 25.