HOUSTON – The makeshift club where multiple teens were shot should never have been operating, according to Houston Public Works.
The city told KPRC 2′s Corley Peel that Houston Permitting Center inspectors visited the building at 10126 Jensen Drive on Monday. They determined that the Curfew Club was operating there without a certificate of occupancy.
Records show the last application for a certificate of occupancy was in October 2023.
An inspection in February found issues that needed to be addressed. The project became inactive in August when the issues were not resolved, according to the city.
City leaders posted a notice on the building door Tuesday.
The business has seven days to respond, but Public Works said they have not received a response so far.
Several teen witnesses told KPRC2 a cover fee was required to get into the club. An additional fee was required for BYOB. According to a TABC spokesperson, if a business allows BYOB but does not sell alcohol, they are not required to have a TABC permit.
KPRC2 reached out to the owner listed on the notice, but did not hear back. Corley spoke with a different owner on the phone, but they declined to comment and said they are complying with proper authorities.
The shooting happened Saturday around 11:30 p.m. when police say a shooter opened fire during the event advertised as a teen club.
Both 14-year-old Azyria Bankhead and 16-year-old King Randle died, and four other teens were injured.
Witnesses reported seeing a tall, thin man dressed in all black, wearing a hooded sweatshirt and mask, shooting into the crowd. Police are still searching for the suspect and have not yet identified anyone responsible for the shooting.
Anyone at the venue at the time of the shooting or with information about the incident is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.