Bebo's Cafe in Knoxville shut down under nuisance law after multiple shootings

Bebo's Cafe, a hookah bar in Knoxville's Downtown West neighborhood, was shut down June 29 under a state nuisance law after multiple shootings and other violent incidents at the club.

Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen filed a petition granted by Judge Sword that alleges the bar on Gleason Drive has been the scene of multiple shootings and altercations over the last 18 months.

Police have responded to Bebo's Cafe 68 times and Allen characterized the business as a "haven for criminal activity," according to the petition.

In August, Cedric Isom, 29, of Knoxville, was found dead in the parking lot at 1:50 a.m. A second man also had been shot in the leg.

Destiny Jones, 24, of Anderson County, was struck by gunfire in the parking lot on May 15, and then died in a car accident as she was being rushed to the hospital. Medical Examiner’s Office personnel determined Jones was shot one time in the lower body, but actually died from blunt force trauma sustained in the crash. The Knoxville Police Department is looking for a 22-year-old Knoxville man in connection with Jones' death.

And on June 4, police responded to Bebo's Cafe for a shooting in the parking lot with one victim who was taken to the hospital, the petition stated.

Sword has granted a temporary injunction and the owners of the bar, Beshoy Saman and Ruei Mei, have been ordered to appear in court July 7 to explain why the closure shouldn't become permanent.

Liz Kellar is a public safety reporter. Email lkellar@knoxnews.com.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Bebo's Cafe in Knoxville shut down after multiple shootings