Owner of hookah bar where 5 were stabbed hosts 'Stop the Violence' town hall

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The owner of a University City hookah bar will host a "Stop the Violence” town hall meeting Wednesday night, days after five people were stabbed outside his business.

Violence over the weekend prompted the owner of Red at 28th to take action.

[READ MORE: Business owners take action after 5 stabbed at hookah bar]

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department homicide detective and local activists plan to be at the town hall to discuss ways to prevent crime.

Early Sunday morning, police said five people were stabbed at the hookah bar. Investigators are still interviewing witnesses and trying to identify a suspect.

Sunday’s incident was not the first time police have been called to the shopping center where the bar is located. In just the past year, CMPD has responded to 70 calls for help at the plaza.

Nearly a dozen of those calls were for Red at 28^th, including one for a shooting in the parking lot just three weeks ago.

The hookah bar's owner said he plans to increase security at his business to help customers feel safer.

A big aspect of the meeting will be to urge those with information about the stabbings to come forward. The town hall begins at noon.

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