As family and friends of Miguel Delgado mourn his loss, city officials are cracking down on the nightclub where the fight that led to his killing started.
The Up Or On The Rocks nightclub in Hartford is now closed after two fatal shootings this month happened after fights started inside the club, according to police.
Police have identified the victim in the latest shooting Friday morning as Miguel Delgado, of East Hartford, and said he suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest.
Police believe Delgado got into an argument with someone inside the club and the fight escalated outside where he was shot.
During a news conference Friday, Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra said he asked the club to close down and the owner agreed. The owner will meet with city officials next week to come up with a plan to possibly reopen in the future, Segarra said.
The club allows people 18-and-older inside. Police say such clubs can draw rougher crowds and lead to underage drinking.
Now, Segarra is calling for police to be inside such clubs, he wants the clubs to adopt security plans, and he's calling on state lawmakers to change the law that allows minors in such places.
"I'm very upset about these incidents, but more importantly, I'm very determined to take action before they happen again," said Segarra.
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Robert Edwards, of Hartford, stopped by the scene Friday night. His girlfriend is related to Delgado.
"He was young and had a long future ahead of him and it was cut short but I truly believe there's a better place on the other side and I hope justice is served," said Edwards.
This was the second homicide this month to happen near Up Or On The Rocks after a fight broke out inside.
Early on Sunday morning, August 4, Brian Simpe, 19, of Manchester, was shot in the chest outside the nightclub.
Police said it stemmed from a fight over a girl.
"It's ridiculous. There's no need for the violence," said Robert Cozzolino, of Hartford, who was walking downtown Friday night.
State Senator Paul Doyle, who co-chairs the legislature's General Law committee, says he's seriously considering possible legislation to ban minors from such clubs.
"I'm going to consider it and see what other states do. It sounds logical," said Doyle. "You can't have these minors in these situations."
For now, family and friends of Delgado are struggling to cope with his death.
"It's just pretty scary and something needs to be done," said Edwards.
So far, police have made no arrests in Delgado's murder.
