The deadly shooting outside Lotus nightclub at Union Station last weekend prompted a meeting Wednesday among Denver police, the club owner, Lower Downtown neighbors and RTD officials to discuss solving the ongoing noise and violence.
Thomas L. Jones, 34, was fatally shot in the parking lot about 2 a.m. Saturday.
The lot is owned by the Regional Transportation District but subleased by Lotus and used by its patrons.
Residents who live across the street from the lot say they are often awakened by the sounds of fights, ambulances and police. Some said they are afraid to walk past the windows of their lofts.
The shooting occurred on Lotus’ hip-hop night, which police say draws a more aggressive crowd.
The night of the shooting, a person began a shoving match inside the club’s restroom and was told to leave. Once in the parking lot, the same person got into a fight and the shooting occurred, said police Cmdr. Deborah Dilley.
Three people, including one juvenile, are in custody as the investigation continues, she said.
Kevin Henderson, who promoted hip-hop nights for Lotus, said there had not been any prior problems at the club.
But Dilley said problems had been escalating there for a few weeks.
Lotus owner Francois H. Safieddine apologized.
“To me, this is too much trouble for me. … And realize that I am responsible,” he said. “To make a liability on the community rather than an asset does not make me feel good about myself.”
Safieddine said he was canceling Friday hip-hop nights after Aug. 12, allowing a performance by major hip-hop artist Missy Elliot to go on.
He noted that the victim of the shooting had three children, and Safieddine said he did not feel good about weighing his financial loss against the children’s.
Hip-hop is in high demand in nightclubs across the country, and there will be a financial loss to the club because patrons will move to another venue for the music, said Will Coleman, who owns the Purple Martini downtown and in the Denver Tech Center.
Safieddine also pledged to increase security at Lotus.
Neighbors questioned RTD’s responsibility for patrolling the parking lot.
Though Lotus can control what occurs inside the club, it may not be able to handle problems in the lot outside, they noted.
The lot has only one way in and out, which causes traffic problems when the bars close, neighbors said.
RTD officials say they plan to meet with Safieddine and police to determine what they can do to increase security.
Union Station is patrolled around the clock, but only one security guard is on duty.
Staff writer Felisa Cardona can be reached at 303-820-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com.
