42-Year-Old Man Targeted, Shot Inside Hustler Club, Baltimore Police Say
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A shooting inside of Larry Flynt's Hustler Club has highlighted recent security concerns about late-night activity in the 400 block of E. Baltimore Street, which is commonly known as "The Block."
The stretch of strip clubs and adult stores downtown is seated next to Baltimore Police Department headquarters.
On Sunday, Baltimore police said that officers had been called to The Block to investigate a report of a shooting. They found a 42-year-old man with multiple gunshot injuries.
WJZ was able to obtain information indicating that man had been shot when he was inside the club.
On Monday, police confirmed to WJZ that the shooting had occurred indoors.
At least five people have been shot on or near the block within the past seven months.
An officer shot a man in the 400 block of East Baltimore Street on Aug. 12, 2021, per police records.
Two days later, on Aug. 14, 2021, a 28-year-old man and a 33-year-old man were shot near the intersection of E. Baltimore Street and N. Gay Street.
Police records also show that a 20-year-old man was shot in the 400 block of East Baltimore Street the following month—on Sept. 17, 2021.
These crimes and other issues that warrant a police response have prompted city officials and state lawmakers to craft legislation that would require area businesses on The Block to abide by a curfew.
Securing 'The Block'
The Sunday morning shooting inside of Larry Flynt's Hustler Club occurred just days after State Sen. Bill Ferguson said city and state officials had begun working together to find ways to prevent violent crime on The Block.
Last Friday, business owners said they had reached an agreement with officials to shore up security in the area that would not require them to close early or pay for more police.
The owners said they agreed to place cameras inside their businesses and to share that footage with police when needed. They also agreed to have metal detectors or wands placed at the door.
John Sachs, president of the East Baltimore Street Association, said he was pleased with the outcome of talks with the city, which he called a step in the right direction.
"I think it's time to move forward, wash our hands (of) this and try to adhere to the things they want us to do," Sachs said.
In January, Ferguson introduced a bill that would have required businesses on "The Block" with liquor or adult entertainment licenses to close their doors by 10 p.m.
That proposal sparked almost-immediate backlash from business owners, who said the curfew would impact their bottom line and threaten their ability to make a living.
Earlier this month, the bill's supporters said they had come to an agreement with business owners to step up security in the area, but businesses objected to paying for additional police in the area.
Now it looks like both sides are in support of a plan that would ramp up security in the area without requiring businesses to foot the bill for more police deployments.
