Henderson City Council declares emergency, imposes five-day curfew after multiple shootings

The Henderson City Council on Jan. 22 declared a local state of emergency and imposed a five-day, citywide curfew after multiple recent shooting incidents, Mayor Melissa Elliott said at an emergency meeting.

Police Chief Marcus Barrow told the council there had been "multiple shooting incidents over the past several days" and said "there were no fatalities to date," adding that investigations are active with the State Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Drug Enforcement Administration task forces. He said suspects are known but details could not be released because the cases remain under investigation.

Councilmembers discussed whether a curfew should apply only to the wards where incidents occurred or citywide. Councilmember Lamont Noel asked Chief Barrow whether a curfew would be beneficial and how it might affect the department and the city; Barrow said curfews "can be beneficial" but cautioned against measures that would unduly restrict law-abiding residents and emphasized the need for practical, enforceable rules.

After discussion, the council reached consensus to implement a citywide curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. for five days — Friday, Jan. 23 through Tuesday, Jan. 27 — with exceptions for travel to and from employment, seeking medical assistance, obtaining food and other essential services. Mayor Elliott said she was prepared to declare the emergency and move forward with the Police Department on enforcement and the ongoing investigations.

Mayor Elliott also read a separate proclamation declaring a local state of emergency for an approaching winter storm, citing forecasts for freezing rain, snow and gusty winds with hazardous travel and potential power outages. She said city departments were taking precautions and that the city would publish curfew and storm information on its website and social media, and she referenced the Governor's statewide emergency declaration.

There was no roll-call vote recorded on the curfew; the meeting minutes record that the council "reached consensus" on the measure. A formal motion to adjourn by Councilmember Michael Venable, seconded by Councilmember Tami Walker, was recorded and "unanimously approved." The meeting adjourned at 5:46 p.m.

City officials said investigations into the shootings are ongoing and that more details will be released as permitted by investigators.