THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 22, 1995 TAG: 9501220107
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
More than 10 police units were required to quell a melee that broke out in the parking lot of a night club where more and more serious incidents have occurred.
One .45-caliber semiautomatic revolver was recovered and police had arrested five people by the time order was restored late Friday night at Mr. Magic's in the 500 block of Newtown Road.
The incident began shortly after 10:30 p.m. when a police officer on routine patrol near the club spotted a fight taking place in the club's parking lot.
The officer called for backup and then intervened, trying to break up the fight. As he did that, however, a crowd quickly gathered and more fights broke out, police spokesman Mike Carey said.
More police units were called and, eventually, nine officers and two supervisors were on the scene.
The five people arrested face charges ranging from disorderly conduct to being drunk in public.
While arresting one subject and frisking him for weapons, Carey said officers found the .45-caliber handgun. It had not been brandished or used during the fights.
Carey said all the fights were between club patrons and that no police officers were assaulted.
Last year, police were called to the shopping center that houses the club or its parking lot more than 200 times, but the seriousness of incidents has escalated.
On May 10, officer Dennis K. Dorshimer was shot at by a Mr. Magic's patron as Dorshimer arrived for a fight call.
On Oct. 28, a Mr. Magic's patron was killed in a neighboring parking lot after someone apparently followed him from the club and shot him in the head. Tracey L. Snead, of Chesapeake, died in a hospital. Police have not made an arrest in that case.
On Dec. 17, a 23-year-old man was shot several times while sitting behind the wheel of his car in the parking lot. Larry E. Burrus died earlier this month. Keith D. Holley, 25, is charged with first-degree murder.
Both men had been inside the club earlier.
KEYWORDS: ASSAULT ARREST NIGHT CLUBS by CNB