KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knox County commissioners said Monday they want El Tequila Bar and Grill representatives to appear June 20 to discuss concerns about incidents inside and outside the Halls business.
Disturbances at the location came up during a County Commission meeting Monday afternoon.
Some commissioners said they were interested in Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen pursuing the business located in a shopping center on Maynardville Pike as a nuisance, which could lead to its closure.
"Things get blown grossly out of proportion. We have taken incredible security steps there," said attorney T. Scott Jones, who represents the bar. "All of these acts that are alleged to have occurred, with the exception of just a few minor incidents, have occurred outside of the premises of El Tequila."
Knox County Sheriff's Office officers were called to the scene early May 7 about a large fight and a man allegedly firing gunshots in the parking lot.
In December, a Sheriff's Office commander also told commissioners about a disturbance that occurred in November 2022.
"[We've been called] about 40-something times since November when we had our first major fight," said Lt. Tom Walker with the Knox County Sheriff's Office. "That required an entire patrol shift to respond to break up the fight in the parking lot."
He's testified to the beer board at least five times since December, video shows.
"The calls have been getting more and more violent," he said. "As I testified before the beer board, it's just the grace of God that the guy shot in the air and not into the crowd."
Jones issued a statement Monday in response to County Commission.
"It has come to my attention as recently obtained counsel for the El Tequila Bar & Grill that there have been concerns expressed by members of County Commission concerning this establishment. I recently had the pleasure of handling the hearing in which the suspension of their Beer Permit was lifted and they were allowed to once again sell beer in Knox Co.
"Of note is the fact that they have never had a revocation of their State of TN ABC permit and at the Beer Board hearing it was brought to light that a number of the incidents were clearly not within the zone of foreseeability.
"In addition, a news story was published last week indicating that this establishment was responsible for broken beer bottles and other issues during a recent evening and early AM. Whilst broken bottles make for compelling camera footage, it is of import that El Tequila only sells beer in cans thus rendering the attribution of these broken bottles an impossibility for their responsibility.
"It is now disturbing to learn that they are being pilloried without due process by County elected officials without any personal or substantive investigation. El Tequila values its placement and participation in the Halls Community and looks forward to being a community partner serving all citizens of Halls including our Knox County expanding Hispanic population."
The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission confirmed on Monday that they had opened an investigation into the restaurant.
