Empire Supper Club Future Discussed by City Officials And Owner

Columbia, SC (WOLO)–  The future of Empire Supper Club was discussed by city officials early Tuesday morning. The business was declared a public nuisance after a shooting that injured 8 people on Saturday. Columbia Police met with Joe Stovall and his legal representation, Bakari Sellers. 

“This morning we went in and had a great conversation with the Chief and everyone in there about making sure that not only Empire but the Vista is a healthy and safe environment where business can flourish. And we don’t have these instances of crime and violence,” Sellers said. 

Sellers spoke on behalf of Stovall, saying Stovall is having a hard time coming to terms with the shooting and came to the meeting with ideas on how to prevent future incidents like this.

“He deserves to be open. I think that depriving someone of their life, liberty, and pursuit… and he understands we have to work together in a collaborative effort to make our community safer. He’s willing to do that, CPD is willing to do that, we’ll see how it plays out,” Sellers said. 

Sellers wanted to emphasize this is not the fault of Empire, but the people who come into the Vista community that have poor intentions. Stovall says he is ready to take steps to change that.  

“One of the things we just wanted to clarify, is that this incident actually stemmed from a parking lot that is not owned by Empire Supper Club. It is actually a shared parking lot. And we offered to make sure that in that shared parking lot that Empire Supper Club kept that secured as well,” Sellers said. 

Stovall said he is still hopeful the police will be able to see his side and work with him to create a safer Vista community.

“And then they were willing and offered to work with us as well. So we’ll see whatever decision they make,” Sellers said. 

This might not be the end of Stovall’s fight. Stovall’s has the opportunity to appeal if he chooses to.