SHREVEPORT, La. — A downtown Shreveport bar owner has been cited after Shreveport police received reports early Sunday morning about possible underage drinking at the business.
Uptown Bar and Lounge owner Ryan Williams was issued a citation for violation of City Ordinance 10-102(a)(3), which prohibits any retail alcohol permit holder, employee, or representative from intentionally enticing, aiding, or permitting persons under the age of 21 to visit or loiter in a place where alcoholic beverages are the principal commodity sold, handled, or given away.
Shreveport police PIO Cpl. Chris Bordelon said a graduation party was held at the bar earlier in the night. Once the permitted event ended, some underage guests remained inside while alcohol was allegedly being served.
“They did observe some underage individuals, but they found that there was a permitted event at that location,” Bordelon said of officers who responded.
“The underage individuals were found there after the time in which the permit was granted. So the owner of that establishment has been cited for having underage individuals on the property,” Bordelon said.
The situation also led to misinformation being spread on social media claiming Chief Wayne Smith told officers they could not issue a citation after speaking with Councilman Alan Jackson, Bordelon said.
“That’s absolutely not true. That is not what was relayed,” Bordelon said. “Chief Smith actually did not speak with the officers on scene. He did, in fact, speak to a city council member that was present at that location. And the information at that point in time was to forward all of the information to our Alcohol Beverage Ordinance office.”
This is the second time this month Shreveport police have been called to the Uptown Bar and Lounge. On Cinco de Mayo, a 19-year-old was shot at the location. Police later arrested Taurus White, 24, in connection with the shooting.
KTBS reached out to Williams for comment, but he declined an interview. KTBS also contacted Jackson to ask why he called Smith the night of the incident, but calls were not returned.