News

Actions

Inglewood Residents Raise Concerns Following Hookah Lounge Shooting

Posted at 4:13 PM, May 15, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-15 20:10:45-04

Some Inglewood residents and business owners have raised concerns following a deadly shooting at Cloud IX Hookah Bar and Lounge that happened early Sunday morning.

Police say two groups of people were in Cloud IX's parking lot around 1:00 a.m. when someone fired a gun at 27-year-old Nigel Phill. Police were still searching for the suspect.

"I expected it," said Inglewood resident Emil Justain. "Ever since this place opened up things have gotten pretty strange, especially on the weekends."

Justain said Cloud IX customers consistently take over private parking lots of nearby businesses, while armed guards patrol the outside of Cloud IX.

"Anytime I see armed guards, not doormen, but armed guards it worries me," Justain said. "Why would you need that?"

John Harris owns three storefronts next door to Cloud IX. He says problems with his neighbor started small, with Cloud IX customers often taking up the private parking lot in front of his tenant's businesses.

Harris said first he put up no parking signs, then called Cloud IX's owner Erica Fenton.

"She essentially said whatever happens before customers come through her doors or after they leave is not her responsibility," Harris said.

 NewsChannel5's attempts to reach Erica Fenton were unsuccessful.

Harris eventually began towing vehicles illegally parked on his property.

"One of the Cloud IX customers came over, throwing a fit, and videotaping the wrecker loading his car,' Harris said. "Then he pulled his shirt up and flashed a gun that was tucked behind his front belt buckle."

Meanwhile, Fenton has posted on social media that she is considering opening a second Cloud IX location on West End.

"If you're going to entertain a crowd that has no respect for the neighborhood, maybe you should reconsider where you are," Justain said.