City officials said they are taking steps to shut down Coyote Jacks after another fatal shooting at the saloon on the Southside.
Officials said, "The city of Chattanooga has taken several important steps in an attempt to provide for enhanced public safety at the business located at 1400 Cowart St.
"First, the city issued a letter to Bankable Holdings, LLC, currently listed as the owner of Coyote Jacks Saloon, notifying the LLC that its license has been dissolved by the state of Tennessee and, as a result, their beer permit is no longer valid.
Accordingly, beer is now unable to be served on premises. Additionally, the city has shared this update with the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC) to review the owner's ability to sell liquor.
"Finally, the city intends to file a nuisance abatement by the end of the week to shut down the establishment.
"The city of Chattanooga will file a sworn nuisance abatement complaint with the Hamilton County Circuit Court to shutdown Coyote Jacks by the end of the week. Once filed, there is a five-day waiting period after written notice is given before the Court can issue an injunction for the company to cease operations. This will provide an opportunity for both sides to be heard. If an injunction is granted by the Court, the business must immediately cease operations and the injunction will be binding until it is modified or set aside by a Court.
“We are moving as expeditiously as possible to ensure that residents in this area feel safe and secure in their neighborhood,” said City Attorney Phil Noblett. “We plan to file, by the end of this week, a nuisance abatement complaint in the Court because of the ongoing safety issues resulting from activities at the establishment which have caused injuries to patrons and the public.”
“As the violence of this past weekend illustrates, it is time to take aggressive action to put Coyote Jacks on notice,” said Police Chief David Roddy. “The Chattanooga Police Department has been working closely with the City Attorney to take any and all action we have at our disposal to put an end to the violence we’ve witnessed at this location.”
Also, the City Beer Board may be taking action on Thursday against Coyote Jacks. It is on the agenda.
Both the Chattanooga Police Department and the City Attorney’s Office have been in communication with the District Attorney’s Office, which has been supportive of the investigation and willing to help with filing of the nuisance abatement complaint, officials said.
After the latest fatality, Mayor Andy Berke initially said he was recusing himself from any action against Coyote Jacks because his uncle, attorney Ronnie Berke, had an ownership interest. Afterward, Ronnie Berke said he was giving up any ownership to co-owner and girlfriend Tammie Taylor.