Louisville DJ ‘shocked’ after city officials linked him to bar shootings

Councilman Tammy Hawkins and Jerry Mangrum, better known as recording artist DJ Lil Jerry, said Mangrum is innocent after the Louisville Metro Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control accused his performances of acts of violence at Baxter’s 942 Bar and Grill.

In a letter issued Tuesday, ABC CEO Bradley Silveria denied the bar’s application for eight types of licenses related to the sale of alcohol. Silveria said the “main reason” for the denial was that the venue had hired DJ Lil Jerry & Friends several times after violence occurred on the nights he performed.

Silveria specifically mentioned two shootings that occurred while DJ Lil Jerry was performing: an August 11 shooting in which Michael Bachelor was shot at the bar and another “shooting-related attack” that occurred on October 5. Flyers advertising DJ Lil Terry’s performances that coincided with shootings were attached to the letter.

Hawkins and Mangrum say the blame on DJ is misplaced.

“Yes, we absolutely want ABC to do their due diligence, but we cannot assume that violence is associated with a DJ,” Hawkins said.

She went on to talk about the importance of not blaming Mangrum or other artists for violence.

“Again, a shooting that takes place outside a venue on the same night that he was working – or any other DJ – is working does not mean that he or any other DJ had anything to do with a shooting,” said Hawkins.

Mangrum said he was “shocked” when he found out he was mentioned in the ABC report and that it felt like a “slap in the face.”

“I take all required, necessary precautions when I organize a party and will never promote violence at my events,” he said. “You have no idea how much effort and attention goes into the safety of those who attend my events.”

Silveria was initially listed to appear at the news conference, according to a media advisory from the Louisville Metro Democratic Caucus. However, he was not present.

In response to a request for comment, Louisville ABC media specialist Brandon Bowden said the department “stands behind our case against this establishment.”

“In light of multiple shooting incidents around Baxter’s 942, Metro ABC has made the decision to deny renewal of their liquor license,” Bowden wrote in a statement. “Public safety is our top priority.”

He did not answer why Silveria did not attend the press conference.

Kevin Strnatka, the bar’s owner, said the bar is appealing the liquor license denial. Frank Mascagni, Strnatka’s attorney, said he immediately contacted the state and requested an expedited hearing because of the employees and staff who had been fired pending the appeal.

Killian Baarlaer contributed to this report. Reach reporter Eleanor McCrary at [email protected] or at @ellie_mccrary on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared in the Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville DJ ‘shocked’ after City linked him to bar shootings