‘They need our help’: 2 restaurants donating profits to help injured officers

GASTONIA, N.C. — The Gaston County community is getting behind two police officers who were hurt last week in a shooting. Two restaurants are donating a portion of Wednesday’s profits to those injured officers.

Sammy’s Neighborhood Pub in Belmont and Webb Custom Kitchen in Gastonia are coming together to raise funds for Officer Lewis and Sgt. Nelson.

The two restaurants will donate $5 for every special purchased all day, and the funds will go to help the officers during their recovery. For those not able to stay and eat, both restaurants will be accepting donations as well.

Donations only will be accepted at Sammy’s Neighborhood Pub in Dallas. This restaurant will not be participating in the food special.

The officers were shot while working off-duty as security at Remedies restaurant and nightclub on Union Road.

John Bailey, who owns Sammy’s Pub, told Channel 9 he was watching the news last week when he saw the report of the shooting. He said he knew he needed to help, and he called on the general manager of Webb Custom Kitchen to step up too.

“We thought this was a good opportunity for them to see we do care about them, and an opportunity for the community to reach out and show these folks that it’s not just Sammy’s -- it’s the entire community coming together,” Bailey said.

“They’re here to protect us and sometimes they need our help too,” said Aaron Samole GM of Webb Custom Kitchen. “It’s all about community.”

More information can be found here.

DA: Club where 6 were shot, including 2 officers will receive warning letter over violations

The district attorney said a Gastonia nightclub where six people were shot, including two police officers, has had too many violations and will now receive a warning letter.

The shooting happened at around 11 p.m. Thursday at Remedies Restaurant and Nightclub on Union Road.

North Carolina’s ABC issued an alcohol suspension order Saturday. It mentioned the shooting, and also a pattern of problems at the nightclub, including how Gastonia officers are routinely there around closing time because fights break out.

Robert Friday said he and other neighbors were organizing to start a petition to close Remedies Restaurant.

He told us that there are wild parties happening regularly and they spill over into the neighborhood.

“The fighting and the noise and the hollering," he said. “Just go ahead and close that place down, man.”

Channel 9 checked and discovered police were called here 201 times in the last 2 years.

Gaston County District attorney Locke Bell said he was shocked by the volume of calls.

“It probably matches the next 5 to10 places combined," he said.

According to Bell, by the end of the week the operators of the restaurant will get a letter warning them that they have had too many violations.

“If it’s not used correctly, I will close it down and sell it," he said.

Bell can file a lawsuit to shut the club down with proceeds from the sale going to the school system, but he said that is not the end game.

“I want businesses to work, but they have to work to benefit the community and not as a nuisance," he said.

Bell said he has sent a letter like that to many property owners. Most immediately correct their problems. Those who don’t have lost in court.

The club’s alcohol suspension starts immediately and will remain in place until there’s a hearing.

Gastonia police told Channel 9 that two men were arrested and charged in the shooting.

Officials said all six people hit by gunfire, including two off-duty officers, were not seriously injured.

Channel 9 crews were there shortly before midnight and could see the massive police response outside the nightclub.

Detectives said Alonzo Lewis Hamilton and Allen Slaughter have each been charged with six counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon.

Based on a social media post on the restaurant’s Facebook page, it appeared there was a DJ at the club for an event being held Thursday night.

Lamar McCorkle was supposed to perform and told Channel 9 a fight broke out before shots were fired and chaos ensued.

“People were running around, hiding in the bathrooms, those were the types of things going on,” McCorkle said. “It’s very frustrating and, like I said before, it’s heartbreaking, and I’m familiar with some of the officers because I work with them. I mean, I don’t work with them, but I’ve stood with them in protests.”

The police department posted on its Facebook page: “Two of our officers have been shot in the line of duty. Both are non-life threatening and are expected to recover. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.”

Officials said the officers who were injured, Sgt. E. Nelson and Officer M. Lewis, were working off-duty at the time and were trying to de-escalate a situation when they were shot.

One man, who was shot, told Channel 9′s Gaston County reporter Ken Lemon that he heard the gunfire and pushed the woman with him away.

He was grazed by one round and another hit him in the arms.

The suspects are under a $1 million bond.

“Stop the shooting,” McCorkle said. “Stop fighting. Just stop the violence altogether. It’s senseless.”

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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