License commission takes no action after police report shooting occurred offsite from Mojito’s

The City of Springfield License Commission on July 8 held an informational hearing about a May 4 shooting connected to Mojito's Bar and Restaurant, 497 Belmont Avenue, and voted unanimously to take no action after hearing the police report.

Officer Anderson told the commission the ShotSpotter activation occurred at about 1:45 a.m. and that officers arrived to find a victim who had been shot. "Just like you stated, the ShotSpotter activation, 01:45," the officer said. He reported that the shooting took place near Liberty Tax and Better Home Care, roughly 150–200 yards past Mojito's location, and that bystanders waved down officers. Officers later learned the victim had come from the club and it appeared someone was waiting for the victim outside the establishment.

Officer Anderson said the Mojito's manager told police staff were not aware of the incident because it occurred farther down the block and that the restaurant did not call police before officers arrived. Commissioners and the commission attorney discussed ongoing internal reporting issues with the department’s call system; Attorney Smith suggested managers take screenshots of any calls to the police as temporary proof until the system problems are resolved.

After the report the chair moved that the commission take no action regarding Amapola Bakery and Bistro LLC, d.b.a. Mojito's Bar and Restaurant, on the May 4 incident; the motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous roll call. The commission encouraged licensees to contact police whenever an incident occurs and noted it will revisit reporting procedures if systemic problems persist.