Police report has new details on MS nightclub attack

Yahoo

2 days ago

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — New information has been released regarding a man who was beaten, stripped, and robbed outside a Holly Springs nightclub last month for allegedly yelling racial slurs inside the establishment.
WREG obtained the police report detailing the victim's statement given to police a few days after the incident at C.J.'s Lounge, a popular African-American club.
According to the report, on May 18, between 12:30 and 2:30 a.m., Brian Keith Hill, victim left his home with a friend and headed to what he was told was a 'block party.' He and his friend arrived at C.J.'s Lounge after they had already started drinking at home a few hours beforehand.
Original story: Deputies investigate man beaten, stripped over racial slur at MS club
Hill told the sheriff's office that he remembered walking into the club, hanging out, and listening to music. He said he was holding a cup that he brought into the club and was drinking from it.
The victim told police he remembered dancing and yelling at the friend he arrived with, calling him the 'N-word.'
The report states that the victim then tried to leave the establishment. He did not remember much after that, other than being down on the ground and being physically dragged, kicked, and punched.
The next thing he remembers is a police officer standing over him, speaking with a man who had been called to pick him up.
He said he woke up in bed the next morning suffering from severe pain in his head and jaw. The report states that the victim had injuries to his head, both elbows, both hips, and his right foot.
Investigators say the victim was beaten, robbed, and stripped of his clothing while several people recorded and laughed.
The police report also notes that the victim reported $120 and several credit and debit cards were stolen.
WREG spoke with a part-time security guard and DJ at the lounge after the incident.
'I was hearing him yell out and blare out the N-word repeatedly,' said Myles Stone. 'Everyone on planet earth has to live with their choices, and he walked in there with a choice to be very hateful, very negative.'
Owner of MS club says man's beating not a hate crime
Chevez Fitzpatrick, the owner of the Holly Springs club, previously told WREG the reported beating did not happen inside his business, and was not a hate crime.
He said things turned ugly when it was time to close at 2 a.m., and the man started using the 'N-word' and got physical with C.J.'s security.
Fitzpatrick said that after the man was removed, things escalated in the parking lot, with the man antagonizing a crowd gathered outside. That's where the alleged beating took place.
Video of the moments leading up to the alleged beating was released by C.J.'s in order to help clear the lounge's name.
'They trying to label this or investigate this as a hate crime when I've shown proof that it's not a hate crime. It's just a simple fight,' said Fitzpatrick.
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