Police use pepper spray to break up fight outside Live at PJ's in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor police used pepper spray early this morning to break up a fight involving 20 to 30 people in a parking lot outside Live at PJ's, a club at 102 South First St..
Police received reports of shots being fired during the 2:10 a.m. melee, but said they found no shell casings. No injuries were reported and no arrests were made.
Officers initially responded after receiving a report of a fight, police spokeswoman Lt. Renee Bush said. As officers were on the way, at least two reports came in of shots being fired, Bush said. An officer arrived on scene and saw 20 to 30 people fighting, she said, as a crowd of 100 people was gathering to watch.
The officer used pepper spray, causing the crowd to scatter. Bush said she did not know what led to the fight. Officers interviewed the club's bouncers who said they heard a single gunshot, Bush said. There were no reports of weapons being seen. University of Michigan police also responded to the scene.
Ann Arbor police detectives are investigating.
Anyone with information can call the police department's tip line at (734) 794-6939.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
PJowner
Tue, Oct 25, 2011 : 6:04 p.m.
As the owner of LIVE at Pj's and Goodnite Gracie's, I'd like to chime in: For starters: @ Ron Granger, very funny! More seriously, re: last Sun; there was a fight but no shooting. It involved people who we didn't allow in. Unfortunately, they hang out in the parking lot, drink, & wait for the club to close. We have tried many times to clear the parking lot but it's not our property & there's not much we can do. We pride ourselves in being the most diverse party space in AA, providing entertainment for a variety of demographics. On Thur we feature AA's own Laith Al-Saadi @ Gracie's (32 avg age) & are launching our national Blues Programming at LIVE on Thursdays w/Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials 11/10. @Glimmertwin, you won't want to miss Tommy Castro! Fri @ LIVE we host the Driving Sideways Happy Hour 5-9:30 (49 average age) followed by DJ Dancing (25 avg age) & downstairs we offer the only Reggae night in AA (24 avg age). Sat @ LIVE usually has a live act followed by DJ Dancing (25 avg age) while Gracie's always features live music. Sundays @ LIVE features the Rhythm Kings, a 15 piece swing orchestra (59 avg age) followed by our Sun night College Night (22 avg age). Admittedly Sun nights bring greater potential for issues as they attract a younger crowd but our (externally hired) security company does a great job making sure everything is safe. However, as I am just as concerned as to the safety and well being of downtown Ann Arbor as you are (I'm a 14 year resident and live one mile from LIVE), I have decided to postpone Sun nights for the time being to let things "cool down". Please click on <a href="http://www.liveandgracies.com" rel='nofollow'>www.liveandgracies.com</a> to get a better feeling for all that we do as well as our philanthropic efforts. To date, we've raised over $50K for various non-profit organizations & student groups. My contact information is below if you would like to discuss anything further. Cheers, D. Aldridge 734-719 -1124, liveatpj@gmail.com
Annie
Tue, Oct 25, 2011 : 1:25 a.m.
I, in general, love Live at PJ's. I've seen some great bands play there in a past. I hope this is an isolated incident that had nothing to do with Live. I really like the place.
Grimey
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 10:41 p.m.
Looks as if the "crowd" has moved from Oz, to Studio 4, to Fifth Quarter, to Dream and now to Live... Here we go again!
Grimey
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 9:49 p.m.
No arrests?
anti-thug
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 9:41 p.m.
Wild,wild,west downtown
RJA
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 8:44 p.m.
@ WTFA2, true but they didn't find a victim that was injured or shot either. (just took up a lot of Officers time)
racerx
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 4 p.m.
So. Will this begin calls to close PJ's too? As with Studio 4, Dream Nite Club? This incident will be cited as a nuisance if more fights occur in the future. Though it was in the parking lot across the street from the club. Maybe the city should close down that surface parking lot across the street since it's becoming a nuisance and our poor police officers had to be dispatched.
Hmm
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 3:57 p.m.
Revolvers don't leave shell casings so that is probably why there wasn't any left behind (allegedly)
glimmertwin
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 2:53 p.m.
I just saw an ad over the weekend regarding a show feature Tommy Castro that was coming to this venue (which I have never been). I had thought about going. However, it sounds like this may be a place to avoid. Too bad, I really like Tommy Castro.
WTFA2
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 2:50 p.m.
FYI....A revolver does not leave shell casings.
observer
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 2:33 p.m.
Great job AAPD......people who stay and fight get what they deserve.......
RJA
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.
Our Police officers aren't stupid. When they get a call , to a fight with up to 30 people fighting in the parking lot, and gun shots fired the dispatcher calls for assistance. Great job to all officers.!
racerx
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 3:58 p.m.
Great job to all officers? Only one from Ann Arbor responded.
Ron Granger
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 1:36 p.m.
I put pepper spray on my food to spice things up. It can be awkward at restaurants, but I try and warn those at my table.
Think!
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 1:12 p.m.
Why would University of Michigan police respond?
Mike S
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 5:25 p.m.
"The Washtenaw County Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Agreement assures that each police agency in Washtenaw County agrees to aid other agencies in need of law enforcement assistance…" — <a href="http://police.umich.edu/?s=about" rel='nofollow'>http://police.umich.edu/?s=about</a>
deb
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 3:21 p.m.
Because we no longer keep enough AAPD on duty for incidents like this
Gramma
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 1:20 p.m.
backup
zip the cat
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 1:11 p.m.
Pepper spray,A very effective way to render someone withering in agony. Anyone who walks or runs for excerise should carry a can on there belt. A face full of it will quell any threat to personel harm.
tdw
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 : 12:30 p.m.
Pepper spray....Karate in a can