Northeast Queens Bar Brawl Ends With 2 Men Shot, 3 Slashed: NYPD

HOLLIS HILLS, QUEENS — Two men were shot and three were slashed in a brawl early Saturday at Lavoo Cafe, adding to a series of violent clashes that have unfolded at the Hollis Hills nightlife spot in the last two months, police said.

The fight started just after 2 a.m. inside the lounge and moved outside, where someone pulled out a gun and shot the two men, according to the New York Daily News.

Soon after, three men showed up at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center with slash wounds that, according to police, happened during the same fight.

The NYPD hasn't arrested anyone in connection with the assaults, but police officials told locals at the Queens Community Board 11 meeting Monday that they're putting all hands on deck.

“This is my number-one priority at this time,” Capt. John Portalatin, the commanding officer of the NYPD’s 111th precinct in Bayside, said. “This is a very safe community and it’s going to stay that way under my watch.”

The Leap Day fight is part of a pattern of bloody altercations at Lavoo in the last couple months, Portalatin told Patch, citing a slashing there on Dec. 15 and another on New Year's Day.

Portalatin said there's no connection between the three brawls other than their location.

Lavoo did not immediately return a call requesting comment.

City Council Member Barry Grodenchik cites the pattern of violence at Lavoo as grounds for state officials to revoke the lounge's liquor license and has asked the New York State Liquor Authority to investigate.

“This place has not exactly been a good neighbor, and I think I’m being generous,” City Council Member Barry Grodenchik said Monday to the community board, which would have to approve the revocation. “Nothing good happens at two in the morning.”