A Toronto nightclub where a deadly shooting occurred has had its liquor license suspended.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario reviewed video surveillance footage of the July 17 incident and said the EFS Social Club at 647 King St. W. violated a license requirement.
The nightclub breached a condition requiring “every entrance to the premises during opening hours to be manned by at least one security person equipped with a metal detector and that the device be used on all persons entering the installation, without any exception” according to Licor. Licensing and Control Act (LLCA), the commission said in a statement.
As a result, AGCO Registrar Tom Mungham has issued a suspension, effective immediately. The club will not be legally permitted to sell or serve alcohol during the suspension.
The commission is also seeking to completely revoke the license of EFS Social Club.
“The AGCO takes a compliance-focused approach to regulation and our aim is to proactively work with licensees to meet their regulatory obligations,” Mungham said in the ACGO statement.
“But in cases involving significant non-compliance affecting the public interest, the AGCO will take strong regulatory action to protect the public.”
AGCO reviewed video surveillance and “had reason to believe” that a metal detector was not being used on everyone entering the facility, he said.
Toronto police said officers responded to the nightclub in the early morning hours of July 17, where they found two gunshot victims inside. A 24-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man were rushed to hospital with injuries, but the man died at the hospital. The victim has been identified as Pardeep Brar, 26, of Brampton.
Licensees who do not comply with the requirements of the LLCA are subject to regulatory action, including a monetary penalty, temporary license suspension, or revocation.
There are risk-based factors that are taken into account when granting a liquor license, such as metal detectors. Most establishments that serve alcoholic beverages do not require risk-based factors as a license requirement.
“Risk levels are intended for premises and licensees where there is a greater risk to public safety, public interest or breach of the law,” AGCO’s website states.