Feb 25, 2008 5:24 pm US/Eastern
$1 Million Bail For Accused Nightclub Shooter
Aria Gives Up Licenses After Weekend Brawl
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Damion Jamaal-Anthony Haley in court Monday.
WBZ
A man charged with firing a gun into a crowd during a weekend brawl at a Boston nightclub was ordered held on $1 million cash bail Monday.
Prosecutors say Damion Jamaal-Anthony Haley, 24 of Milton shot three or four times into a group of people at Aria on Tremont Street early Sunday morning.
Two people were shot in their elbows and a state trooper broke his arm trying to capture Haley.
Haley pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Monday in Boston Municipal Court. He faces several charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm and assault and battery. He was also charged with six outstanding default warrants.
Prosecutors asked for $500,000 bail, but the judge doubled it.
The brawl erupted just before 2 a.m. Sunday as several small groups started to exchange words and fight at Aria. The club was hosting a party for camera crews from the infamous video series "Girls Gone Wild."
Aria has voluntarily given up its entertainment and alcohol licenses pending an investigation.
Police say the fight involved 20-35 people. Some used champagne bottles as weapons.
As the fight escalated, prosecutors say Haley pulled out a gun.
"Officers observed this defendant stand up on a platform, remove a gun from his waistband and shoot into the crowd," prosecutor Susan Terrie said during Haley's arraignment.
Terrie told the court Haley admitted to police why he started shooting.
"I had a beef, they threw a drink, so I had to come out with it," Terrie said Haley told investigators.
Haley has two children and lives with his mother in Milton. He also goes by the name Damion Jamaal Powell. He was ordered to return to court March 24.
Police commissioner Ed Davis told WBZ Radio he thinks Aria should lose its entertainment and liquor licenses.
"When we see a club start to experience increased issues around gang activity and violent behavior," he said. "It's important we take action."
Davis said police officers were already in the club working on an anti-gang patrol before the fighting started.
At a news conference Monday afternoon, Mayor Menino said he would like to see the club's licenses pulled and not returned.
WBZ has learned Aria has had a pattern of problems in the last seven years. The most recent incident before the weekend brawl occured in March 2006, when the club was put on a six-month probation for several violations, including serving alcohol to minors, disorder inside, intoxicated patrons and assault and battery – patron on patron.
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