An arrest has been made in connection with a tragic shooting at a nightclub in Atlanta last May, which resulted in the loss of two lives, including that of Albany State University Volleyball player Mari Creighton. According to local Atlanta affiliate 11Alive, Karanji Reese, 21, surrendered himself on Wednesday. Reese is charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

A shooting occurred on Mother’s Day, with a lone gunman opening fire at a club, injuring six individuals. The Atlanta Police Department reacted to gunfire at 2:35 a.m., as reported by Jesse Nussman from 11 Alive.  Among the victims were Creighton and 20-year-old Nakyris M. Ridley who tragically lost their lives. Additional arrest warrants suggest that a confrontation between Ridley and the suspect escalated into gunfire. The suspect, Reese, allegedly fired recklessly before fleeing the scene. The warrant accuses Reese of intentionally shooting and killing Ridley and Creighton.

Creighton’s family has sued the club, claiming that due to the “actions or inactions of the defendants, Mariam Creighton’s tragic and entirely preventable death occurred.” The lawsuit alleges that the “defendants permitted an armed individual(s) to enter and stay inside the crowded premises for an extended time where alcohol was served,” leading to a patron engaging in a confrontation that eventually escalated to the armed individual firing multiple shots in the crowded nightclub, injuring the victims.

Atlanta has lodged a complaint against Elleven45, seeking a temporary restraining order against the club, its owners, and the property owner. The city requested the courts to label Elleven45 as a public nuisance and halt alcohol sales on the premises “to safeguard public health, safety, and welfare.” The club alleges it is being racially targeted.

However, this particular club has a history of violence. A petition to shut down the club that was created in 2020 currently sits at 13,529 signatures at the time of this writing.

“The owners of this bar/restaurant don’t respect our neighborhood or the codes set in place for establishments operating in this area and as a result, the patrons have followed suit,” the author of the petition on Change.org Jenny Etheredge wrote. “We feel it is creating an unsafe environment in the neighborhood and is drawing criminal activity and behavior that should not be accepted in the residential area it resides.”

The petition received a comment from Ashley Bastardo, who wrote, “I’m signing because my roomate Mari was a victim of gun violence at this club yesterday. She was only 21 years old and a college student at Albany State University. She didn’t deserve for this to happen to her, this club needs to be shut down and sued.”

11Alive has reported that the club will temporarily close for 60 days pending a hearing.