The Daily Gamecock

Brief: Officials decide against closing Columbia bars at 2 a.m.

Columbia officials decide against 2 a.m. bar closings

Days after a shooting injured three people in Columbia's Five Points entertainment district, the city's public safety committee came to an agreement that the long-discussed closing of all bars at 2 a.m. may not be the solution to behavioral problems. 

The committee met on Tuesday to discuss the issue and called for better relationships with USC officials, neighbors and law enforcement, WACH reports. 

"I think we've proven with several public hearings that the 2 a.m. thing will not work," said David Harris, owner of Nightcaps on Devine Street.

The shooting occurred right around 2 a.m. on Sunday, a night when the bars in Five Points already close at the same time.

"Saturday night was unfortunate, and I am very sorry for these folks that were injured,” Harris said. ”But that was a 2 a.m. closing night, so it almost just goes to prove that trouble can still happen even on nights bars close at 2."

According to WACH, the issue of bar closing times is now a decision for the city council. 

Two victims of Sunday morning's incident remain in critical condition.


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