DORAL, FLA. (WSVN) - The City of Doral held a special council meeting in the wake of Saturday’s deadly shooting that claimed the life of a 23-year-old security guard.
In response to the fatal shooting, the city is hoping to address potential measures, like bar hours of operation and enhanced security, that may prevent tragedies in the future.
“He lost his life doing his job,” said Doral Mayor Christi Fraga after the tragic incident.
On Wednesday morning, Fraga led the discussion, titled “Policy and permits for extended hours,” and is going to talk about Doral’s ordinance and how to move forward regarding nightclubs in Doral.
“Right now, what we’ll do is put a hold on all of the extended hour applications and once the ordinance changes, which is what I’m proposing, that we change it to be until 2 a.m. Then that’ll be the max that anybody can ask for an extension to,” said Fraga in an interview with 7News ahead of the meeting.
On Wednesday afternoon, officials held a workshop to provide a platform of deliberation on proposed policy adjustments and to discuss safety measures within Doral’s nightlife scene.
The shooting at CityPlace unfolded after, Doral Police said, the shooting occurred after two people got into a fight over a pillow. Authorities working the area immediately responded and shot and killed the gunman, who was identified as Jamal Wayne Wood.
Despite his efforts to intervene and protect others, George Castellanos succumbed to his injuries.
“So he goes out there and tries to separate the fight and when he does, the guy just takes out a gun and shoots him two times. One in his chest and the other in his stomach,” said George’s mother, Jeannine, the day after her son was killed.
Six other innocent bystanders and a Doral police officers are also recovering after being shot in the exchange.
Officials will examine bar hours of operation so something like this doesn’t happen again.
“We will look at incident reports and decide whether its a good idea to keep the same time operations or to reduce that,” said Mayor Fraga.
For the past two decades, some bars were able to stay open until 4 a.m. with permission. Another undeniable issue is firearms in plain sight.
“Require a security company to have a mobile metal detecting device for additional security measures that must be utilized for the entrance of any patron into the establishment,” added Fraga.
The Castellanos family wants to see more of those regulations. They know it won’t bring back their son’s beaming smile, but they will make sure his death will not be in vein.
“My son is 22, almost 23, and he was also planning to work at that place, at that time,” said Councilwoman Digna Cabral at Wednesday’s meeting. “My thoughts and prayers to the family.”
Fraga hopes the ordinance will stop tragedies like this one from ever happening again.
“As the community has grown, as the city has evolved, we will now make a decision on whether it’s appropriate for those businesses to be open until that time. My opinion is, it’s not. We are a family-oriented community and this is what our residents want,” emphasized Fraga.
Once the council members decide they want to move forward with the proposed ordinance, it will be presented in two weeks to the full council and then again on May 8 for a final vote.
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