An East Hartford bar has had its liquor permit suspended following a fatal shooting during a melee at the establishment early Saturday.
Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli on Tuesday signed a summary suspension of the liquor permit for Humacao Restaurant and Bar at 77 Silver Lane, Suite B12.
That means, effective immediately, the establishment may not serve alcohol until further notice. However, it can continue to serve food.
Early Saturday, East Hartford police responded to the establishment after receiving a report of a gunshot victim inside.
A large crowd and intoxicated patrons created a chaotic scene that impeded first responders’ efforts to provide medical aid to the victim, according to the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP).
The victim, who suffered a gunshot to the chest, was taken to Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford and pronounced dead.
In a letter to the DCP, East Hartford Police Chief Mack Hawkins said police have responded to the calls for service at Humacao 19 times in the last five years.
Calls for service recently began escalating after a new permittee and backer became involved.
On Dec. 12, 2023, the DCP approved a provisional liquor permit for Roberto Carrasco, with Jumping Coqui Restaurant and Lounge LLC as his backer. A final permit was approved on Feb. 27.
There have been 11 calls for service at the establishment since Jan. 1, according to police.
“The establishment poses an immediate danger to customers, neighbors, motorists and responding police officers,” Hawkins said. “The business persists in hosting unruly crowds, loud music and intoxicated patrons despite repeated citizen complaints and response by the East Hartford Police Department.”
Cafferelli offered condolences to the family of the victim, calling the death tragic.
“This is a senseless tragedy that should have been avoided, and even though the new permittees at Humacao have only held the liquor permit for roughly three months, they are clearly not prepared for the responsibilities of protecting public health and safety that come with holding such a permit,” Cafferelli said.