Garland County Judge Shuts Down "Nuisance" Sports Bar
By: Josh Berry
Updated: September 28, 2012
A Garland County judge shut down a Hot Springs sports bar following a shooting that sent six people to the hospital last weekend.
The court order claimed the business is a public nuisance.
For the time being though, the bar has agreed to close its doors at least until a Tuesday, November 8 court hearing.
They don't agree with the decision though and neither do many people familiar with the club and area.
The open sign remains off at the Pocket's Full Sports Bar and Billiards Friday (9/28).
"I go to the club quite frequently," said club-goer, Stanley Thomas. "I don't see the club being a nuisance I see the public being a nuisance to the club."
Early in the morning last Saturday, six people were shot during a shooting outside the bar.
Police said they're all doing okay now and should recover quickly.
If you ask those who frequent the place, and even the neighbors next door that had three bullets go through the side of their home during the shooting, it's not the bar's fault.
"It's supposed to be a sports bar to go in sit down and watch the tv, if you want to have a party, if you want to take pictures if you wanna order food that's the main initiative." said Thomas. "Not for people to go in and shoot out like the Wild, Wild West
The investigation continues but County Circuit Judge Marcia Hearnsberger decided it was time to close the place up.
"I don't see how it's fair that they shut down this bar but they don't shut down all the rest of them," complained one community member of the area, Jamie Baltzell.
She said this kind of stuff happens at most of the bars in town.
"There's fights every single weekend. There's always cops there. There's always someone getting thrown out."
The court order claimed the business is a public nuisance.
For the time being though, the bar has agreed to close its doors at least until a Tuesday, November 8 court hearing.
They don't agree with the decision though and neither do many people familiar with the club and area.
The open sign remains off at the Pocket's Full Sports Bar and Billiards Friday (9/28).
"I go to the club quite frequently," said club-goer, Stanley Thomas. "I don't see the club being a nuisance I see the public being a nuisance to the club."
Early in the morning last Saturday, six people were shot during a shooting outside the bar.
Police said they're all doing okay now and should recover quickly.
If you ask those who frequent the place, and even the neighbors next door that had three bullets go through the side of their home during the shooting, it's not the bar's fault.
"It's supposed to be a sports bar to go in sit down and watch the tv, if you want to have a party, if you want to take pictures if you wanna order food that's the main initiative." said Thomas. "Not for people to go in and shoot out like the Wild, Wild West
The investigation continues but County Circuit Judge Marcia Hearnsberger decided it was time to close the place up.
"I don't see how it's fair that they shut down this bar but they don't shut down all the rest of them," complained one community member of the area, Jamie Baltzell.
She said this kind of stuff happens at most of the bars in town.
"There's fights every single weekend. There's always cops there. There's always someone getting thrown out."
