Community leaders, violence prevention advocates and the owner of a Denver nightclub gathered Monday to search for solutions after a mass shooting at Ultra Lounge left one person dead and eight others injured.
Elijah Bernard, 25, was killed at the bar just after midnight on Monday, July 20 in what Denver police described as a shootout between two groups. Police said they are still searching for suspects.
The city ordered the nightclub to shut down immediately, alleging it was operating without the proper licenses.
One week after the shooting, residents, advocates and local leaders met at Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center on Welton Street to talk about ways to prevent more violence. Dr. Joel Hodge, founder of the violence prevention group Struggle of Love Foundation, urged families to help build stronger support systems for youth at home.
“I’m asking a lot of our men, our fathers, our brothers, our uncles that have left us to come back and help us raise your children,” Hodge said…