Community activists want night club shut down | 911

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Authorities in Columbus County are looking into the future of a popular hangout in Boardman after three people were shot at the establishment. There are people in the area who believe the place should be shutdown before another life is taken or another person gets hurt.

Antoine Ford, a 21-year-old college student, was killed in a shooting at Balls Night Club in 2009. Five others were wounded in that shooting.

Deputies said someone fired more than 50 gunshots outside Balls last year, while people were inside.

Officials with Columbus County Dispatch say they have been called to the club 17 times since January 2010.

Now, deputies say they plan to get ALE officials involved to help them address issues at the night club, but at least two community activists are frustrated the establishment was not closed years ago.

The building off Macdeona Church Road in Evergreen may not look like a popular hangout but activists Rodney Singletary and Tommy Brown say it's a hot spot. They believe it has been a place of violent crimes because it's being operated like a club – without the proper permits to do so.

With three people shot at the establishment earlier in the week, Singletary and Brown say it's time to finally close Balls and other illegal clubs around the county for good.

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