The bar has been ordered to close until a hearing set for 9 a.m. Oct. 13. Darlene Boyd, owner of Kricket’s, said the bar was served with the order at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
“Ongoing criminal activity including homicide, assault, allegations of rape and sexual assault, drug abuse and possession, sale of alcohol to underage persons, underage consumption of alcohol, noise violations, domestic violence, public intoxication and urinating in public are occurring at Kricket’s Tavern, and that such activities are substantially interfering with public decency, sobriety, peace and good order,” the order states.
Joshua Hamilton of Springfield was fatally shot inside the bar early Sunday morning. Huber Heights Police Chief Mark Lightner said Wednesday afternoon the investigation is ongoing and there were no updates.
From Jan. 1, 2014, to the present, Huber Heights police have responded to more than 60 incidents and disturbances at Kricket’s.
“The city, on behalf of its citizens, has a vested interest in making sure the community is safe, free from violence and free from nuisance activity,” said Mike Bly, a member of the city’s legal counsel.
Hamilton, who has a 6-month-old daughter Avey’Onnia, was celebrating his sister’s birthday, according to his family and Boyd.
Kricket’s Tavern, 5478 Brandt Pike, had planned to host a benefit on Wednesday for the family to help pay for funeral expenses. Boyd said the benefit had to be canceled due to the court’s order.
“It’s totally not fair,” Boyd said. “All these allegations they’re saying about us is not true. It’s just a big mess. They did not want us to have a benefit for a family that needed a funeral. How wrong is that?”
Boyd said Kricket’s received donations from Huber Heights businesses for a silent auction. The bar also was going to donate all of Wednesday’s sales to the family and charge entry at the door.
“If we’re so unwanted in Huber Heights, why would everybody be trying to help?” said Boyd, who noted she plans to fight the court order “to the end.”
Officers were dispatched to the bar around 2:30 a.m. Sunday in response to a silent robbery alarm.
Kricket’s Tavern was one of six businesses cited in April 2014 for selling alcohol to a minor. The bar paid a $1,600 fine, rather than serving a 10-day suspension.
A glass door at the establishment states that patrons must be 21 years old to enter.
Kricket’s Tavern also has been cited by the Ohio Investigative Unit, including for furnishing beer or intoxicating liquor to an intoxicated person; improper conduct (nudity and engaging in sexual activity); tavern keeper allowing drunkenness; and multiple counts of controlling gambling devices and operating a gambling house.
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