Lovers' quarrel sparked fatal shooting at downtown Greenville bar, owner says (2024)

GREENVILLE — The 821 GVL bar has had its city zoning permit revoked after a fatal Memorial Day shooting outside its front door in what the bar’s owner said was a matter of two men fighting over one of the establishment’s employees.

In the early morning hours of May 26, Greenville Police found 27-year-old William Shamari Slade on Falls Park Drive with a gunshot wound to the chest. He died at a hospital shortly afterward.

Police said Slade was shot during an argument with 28-year-old Brian Murray, who took off in his car and led police on a pursuit through downtown Greenville.

Murray has been charged with murder.

In a text message to The Post and Courier on May 29, the bar’s owner, Danielle Britt, said Murray was a former employee of The Lounge — her other recently shuttered bar on North Main Street.

Murray’s girlfriend, who Britt said had previously dated Slade, was working at 821 GVL on the night of the shooting. The pair started arguing, Britt said, and she removed them from the premises.

“My staff, myself, and my incredible customers did everything in our power going above and beyond to stop this incident from happening,” Britt said.

However, “the two men were determined to get their feelings out,” she said. “We stand on business and creating a fun, safe environment for everyone to enjoy. My condolences (sic) goes out to the victims family.”

The comments come as a bright green zoning and occupancy violation sign was seen May 29 posted to the front of 821 GVL, which is in the building that houses Lululemon and Jianna near Falls Park.

The posting, dated the same day as the shooting, notifies the establishment that it failed to adhere to city code, though it doesn’t specify the violation.

The Post and Courier has reached out to the city of Greenville for clarification.

The posting said 821 GVL’s special exception permit, which allowed the bar to operate after midnight, had been revoked.

821 GVL had just taken on additional DJs and parties after its sister bar, The Lounge, was evicted from its spot on North Main Street earlier this month in a dispute with a landlord.

Britt was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by The Lounge’s landlord on May 15. The suit alleged that Britt broke The Lounge’s lease contract by failing to pay rent and maintain the property, including allowing “indecent behavior” and illegal activities.

Britt has denied those allegations and said the eviction was a matter of the landlord not liking the bar’s predominantly Black clientele.