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Baltimore County police and liquor board officials are investigating whether they can close a Middle River bar following the second stabbing in two weeks at the establishment.
The latest stabbing at Boomer's Bar and Smokehouse, located in the 100 block of Earls Road, occurred at 12:46 a.m. Friday, according to a news release.
Police responded to Boomers for a stabbing, which witnesses told police occurred during a fight between two people after someone bumped into a 22-year-old woman on the dance floor. According to the release, the woman was stabbed once during the fight and was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview with serious, but non-life threatening injuries.
Police said several people were taken into custody following the incident, but charges have yet to be filed.
This stabbing comes . In that case, a 22-year-old man was stabbed around 1:29 a.m. at the bar. He later walked into Franklin Square Hospital Center before being transferred to Shock Trauma for treatment.
According to court records, Jack Daniel Powell, 23, of the 200 block of St. Helena Avenue was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder in that case. He is being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center in Towson.
Baltimore County police and the liquor board, according to a news release, are exploring whether Boomer's falls under the county’s “Padlock Law,” which enables the police chief to close a business if there have been at least two criminal convictions for public nuisances within a two-year time frame.
Boomer's is already scheduled to go in front of the Baltimore County Liquor Board on Aug. 22 where both stabbings will be discussed as part of that hearing.
Violence at county bars has become a point of concern for Chief Jim Johnson, as the police are still seeking suspects .
In addition, following a series of fights at in Middle River. That establishment is scheduled to face the liquor board on Aug. 15.
According to a news release, Johnson and and county Liquor Board Chief Administrator Michael Mohler want to address concerns about these establishments and others where violence and noise disturbances are an issue.
Representatives with both River Watch and have told Patch that they are working with police to resolve any concerns.
Johnson said precinct commanders have increased patrols and enforcement at businesses while also working with owners to reduce problems.
Essex Precinct Capt. Mike DiPaula said he first approached Boomer’s owners with concerns he had about activity there in April. Coincidentally, Thursday night was the launch of an enforcement program in the precinct that included increased patrols to businesses of concern like Boomer's. He added that he felt the incident at River Watch was an aberration.
“[Boomer's] seemed receptive at the time of our last talk, but these stabbings brought them to our attention again,” DiPaula said. “When incidents like this occur, we need to pull resources from other parts of the precinct and even the county. That puts the safety of our officers and county residents at risk and I’m not going to tolerate that.”
But! The State of MD has raised taxes on alcohol. Taxes across the board aren't decreasing. So if a flash mob happens in Boomer's, is Balto. Co. going to close them down for that too? How about River Watch? These people producing the crimes need to govern themselves and just plain behave! Grow the hell up! Enjoy that over priced alcoholic beverage, and everyone go home in one piece. All these bar owners want, is for you to come out to their place for a memorable time. And return again for another. That is the key!