Dear Northside Businesses and Community,
In the early morning hours on February 15, 2026, there was a reported incident of violence which occurred outside the Spotlight Lounge, located on the 4000 block of Hamilton Avenue, resulting in the loss of life of two individuals along with injuries sustained to two additional persons. This act of violence not only compromised the safety and wellbeing of the patrons at Spotlight Lounge, but also the residents, visitors, and surrounding businesses of our community that were present in the area at the time the incident occurred.
As a community that continues to grow and develop to enrich Northside to be eclectic, artistic, diverse, and more importantly, safe, it is imperative that we as a community direct accountability to anyone that compromises these initiatives to ensure we continue to be the neighborhood we wish to envision for our future.
In this instance, we have had a history with a certain establishment allowing for certain behaviors to continue, whether it be the illegal consumption of alcohol, littering, ordinance violations, and worse of all, consistent gun violence resulting in injuries, and now loss of life. This establishment has not taken accountability for these incidents that ultimately stem from their location, and it appears that no corrective actions are being taken or considered by this establishment to improve safety in our community and within their premises.
Northside must petition to hold those accountable that choose to compromise the safety of our community. This not only compromises the well-being of individuals visiting and living in Northside, but this also negatively impacts businesses and their operations.
The Northside Business Association will be doing its part as an organization to ensure we are addressing these concerns and holding those who choose to enable violence and illegal activity in our community fully accountable for their actions
It is also important that our businesses and residents join us in this initiative to speak out and make our voices heard and make it clear that this type of behavior cannot and will not continue in our community. We need to move forward and rally together for a safer neighborhood and business district.
William Walker, President
Northside Business Association
[email protected]