By NICOLE MARSHALL World Staff Writer
2/19/2008
The club's owner and brother tell police that they shot a man while fearing for their lives. Police are trying to find witnesses who saw what led to the shooting of a man by a nightclub's owner and his brother this weekend.
The men told police that they fired at Phillip Greer, 23, in fear for their lives and the lives of patrons outside The Hive, 216 N. Elgin Ave., because Greer had driven a sport utility vehicle toward a crowd of people, striking at least one person, authorities said.
Jermaine Jones, who police said owns the club, and his brother, Larry Jones, were interviewed by detectives and released pending further investigation, Officer Jason Willingham said. Both men are licensed to carry concealed weapons, he said.
The shooting occurred about 2:45 a.m. Saturday. Detectives have learned that Greer was involved in some sort of altercation inside the bar, Sgt. Mike Huff said. The disturbance was pushed outside, and Greer got into his SUV.
"There is some indication that the victim was trying to use his vehicle as a weapon," Huff said. "We know for certain that at least one person was injured and others had to run from the path of the vehicle to avoid being struck."
That is when the club's owner and his brother shot at the SUV, Wil lingham said police reports indicate. Two female friends of Greer's moved him into the back seat of the SUV and started to drive him to a hospital, but police officers stopped the SUV at Fifth and Main streets, where Greer was pronounced dead.
Huff said police are trying to find witnesses who saw what transpired before the shooting. "Initially, we had very limited information because most of the people at the bar fled before the police could make contact with them," he said. After detectives compile their case, it will be forwarded to the District Attorney's Office for a determination as to whether charges are warranted.
This was the second fatal shooting within two months' time at down town clubs that have been open past 2 a.m., the normal closing time for bars. Eric R. Bell, 21, was shot to death inside Club UV at Second Street and Greenwood Avenue about 2 a.m. Dec. 30.
Under a city ordinance, all entertainment clubs must close by 2 a.m. unless events there are sponsored by religious, educational, fraternal or political organizations. Police previously said Club UV and The Hive were using such sponsorships to stay open past 2 a.m.
Anyone who witnessed the disturbance at The Hive who has not yet talked to the police is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 596-COPS.
Nicole Marshall 581-8459
nicole.marshall@tulsaworld.com
Copyright Tulsa World 2008. All rights reserved. Format differs from original publication.
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