SANFORD, N.C. (WNCN) – The Sanford bar where a man was shot multiple times and killed on July 16 has had its ABC permits suspended according to the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and the N.C. ABC Commission.RELATED: Family speaks out as suspect in Sanford bar murder makes first court appearance
According to Sanford police, Winford Junior Murchison, 31, of Sanford, was shot multiple times in his lower abdomen while outside the Tiki Lounge early on the morning of July 16 by Joshua Tahjai Brewington, 22, of Sanford.
The bar is located at 105 E. Main Street.
On July 22, ALE agents served an “Order of Summary Suspension” at Tiki.
According to the SBI, the order was issued by the ABC commission as a direct result of a joint law enforcement effort “to improve the community’s quality of life.” The effort was undertaken by the Sanford Police Department and Alcohol Law Enforcement. Ninety-nine calls for service over a three year period have been chronicled at the bar.
Many of the calls for service showed a pattern of escalating violence that culminated in Murchison’s murder, the SBI said.
“Addressing businesses that have a detrimental effect on North Carolina communities and jeopardize the safety of our citizens is one of the highest priorities of every ALE Special Agent. ALE partnered with the Sanford Police Department to address the problem with ongoing violence at this location,” said Bryan House, a special agent in charge of the ALE branch.
At this time, all ABC permits issued to Tiki are suspended, the SBI said.
Brewington was charged with one count of first-degree murder, police said.
His first-degree murder charge is a Class A Felony that brings a maximum punishment of death by lethal injection.