Unlicensed club had complaints alleging illegal liquor sales before KC shooting
Organizers of an after-hours event linked to the weekend shooting that injured nine people did not have an active license to operate a business in the city or to serve alcohol, according to city records.
A city database also shows Kansas City residents filed complaints about an unlicensed business at 7926 Troost Ave., the same address advertised as the party location, multiple times leading up to the late Friday night and early Saturday morning events.
Lanè Johnson, a spokesperson for the city, said there is no active business license at that address. She also confirmed that the city had received several complaints about the business in the last week, including reports for serving alcohol to minors and operating without a liquor license.
Johnson said those complaints were referred to the Kansas City Police Department.
“The Police Department is responsible for preventing any person from commencing or conducting a business that requires a license without first securing one, and officers may issue citations when appropriate,” Johnson said.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 7900 block of Troost Avenue around 4 a.m. Saturday, after a flurry of shots were fired into a crowd in that area.
Police officials said officers found a large crowd that was leaving the area and that three women had been shot. All three had non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to hospitals for treatment. Six other shooting victims also showed up at hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
An Instagram post on Thursday touted a late night party at the location: “Big Mama’s Playhouse presents: First Friday After Hours.”
Mayor Quinton Lucas blamed the unlicensed club for the shooting.
“Another mass shooting at an after-hours, unlicensed club. 4am Saturday. 9 people hit,” Lucas wrote on social media. “To irresponsible owners and promoters, I know the dollars seem worth it, but are the lives changed and too often lost and the lawsuits of some value to you too?”
Johnson said the city received several 311 complaints for the address:
• On May 29, a report alleged the sale of alcohol without a license, sales to minors, and ongoing event promotion via Facebook.
• On Friday, a report alleged that events at the property were advertised without a valid certificate of occupancy. The city received two more similar complaints on Sunday, Johnson said.
• On Saturday, a report alleged adult entertainment proximity concerns within 1,000 feet of another business.
Johnson said the complaints were referred to the KCPD.
“The City will continue to work closely with KCPD and other departments to review these reports and address any violations of city ordinances,” Johnson said.
It’s unclear if the organizers of the event were using the location legally, or if the owners of the property were aware of the event.
City records show the location is owned by Premier Engineering Consultants. A website for Premier Engineering Consultants says it is located down the street at 7427 Troost Ave.
The company’s website shows the business “specializes in structural engineering, civil engineering, and construction management.”
A person who answered a phone number listed for the company said they could not answer questions about the after-hours event and hung up.
