Orange Bar Ordered Closed, Liquor Permit Suspended After Shooting: State Officials

ORANGE, CT — The state has suspended the liquor permit of Top Quality Vibez nightclub, citing a shooting and fight at the business earlier this year.

Maureen Magnan, deputy commissioner for the state Department of Consumer Protection, signed the suspension Friday, and it is effective immediately, according to a department announcement.

The suspension order is the result of a referral to the department’s Liquor Control Division from the Orange Police Department.

According to the state, the 501 Boston Post Rd. business was the scene of a shooting on Feb. 7 and fight on April 27.

Police Chief Robert Gagne told state officials in a May 1 letter that the business’ management and employees didn’t cooperate with investigators after the shooting.

Gagne wrote, “The owner and management of Top Quality Vibez denied any knowledge of a shooting or fight that night, which we were able to demonstrate was not the truth.”

“Witness information revealed that allegedly the male patron won the physical fight and attempted to leave the premises when he was shot multiple times by one of the security guards,” Gagne added. “Furthermore, allegedly the bar's management cleaned up the scene and devised a conspiratorial plan to protect the shooter from being discovered or prosecuted.”

While Gagne had requested a liquor permit suspension after the shooting, the request was initially denied. State officials changed their minds after receiving the May 1 letter with updates and additional information from Gagne.

Magnan said establishments have a responsibility to protect the safety of patrons and to cooperate in any police investigation.

“A shooting inside a premises is one of the gravest offenses and by itself a singular significant event that demonstrates an immediate or imminent threat to public health and safety,” Magnan said, in the announcement.

“That the shooting was perpetuated by an employee or agent of the premises, and that premises management made efforts to obscure evidence, protect the perpetrator, and hinder police investigation further demonstrates their recklessness,” Magnan added.

The business will be closed until further notice, according to the state. The business’ owner could not be reached for comment Friday.

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