Empire, the often-controversial Ybor City nightclub, has closed its doors. Club Empire was one of Ybor City's oldest operating nightclubs as it has been open since 1993 with all different types of crowds from gothic, alternative, and most recently hip-hop. Riddled with controversy after two shootings on October 2; one fatal, resulting in the death of 20-year-old Leslie Jones Jr., and another that wounded a 19-year-old Ahmaud Black.
Out of all the Tampa bars, this is definitely a rare exception when it comes to safety. Empire patrons instantly recognized this. After the October 2 shooting, crowd numbers dropped from 700 to an average of 70 causing Empire to lay off about 20 employees and face an imminent demise.
Jones Jr.'s mother, Sharon also had a hand in this after protesting outside the club with Ybor City residents and merchants advocating the closing of this out of control Ybor City nightclub. Her wish came true after Guavaween night last Saturday. Now Sharon just hopes her sons killer will be arrested as the police still are investigating the shooting.
This isn't the first criminal controversy at Empire. Since 2002, the club has played the unfortunate host to three other murders, 10 robberies, three forcible-sex offenses, 33 aggravated assaults, and 102 drug offenses, a rap sheet no other Tampa bars can boast.
Two bouncers were shot in 2002, a patron outside the club was shot and wounded in 2005, and in 2007, a man was shot and killed after being thrown out of the club after a fight.
Even after the closing of Empire, Tampa Police still plan to maintain the same presence in Ybor City with about 50 to 60 officers. Now, they'll be more spread out through Ybor as opposed to concenrated around Empire.
The overwhelming majority of Tampa bars still maintain impeccable safety records with Empire being a rare exception. Head out and keep it safe, guys.
