According to Colquitt Police reports, the Fun House is still opening. There was another “party” Sunday night, February 28, with no shootings, stabbings or liquor sales recorded.

The following police report was received to update what has happened on Monday, March 1.

On Sunday, January 24, 2010, at approximately 12:50 a.m. Colquitt Police officers, Capt. Dan Stone and Officer Charles Griffin, along with Miller County, Deputy Dale Mitchell, responded to the “Fun House,” located at 301 MLK Jr. Street in reference to clearing the parking lot disturbance. When the officers arrived, they were met by approximately 500-700 people on site. The officers on scene then had people fighting everywhere.

One officer stated he knew of approximately 15 different incidents of fighting. The officers then were notified that one of the security personnel, Charles “Bubba” Beard, had been cut in the face. During this time, Capt. Stone notified other officersto be en route to his location for assistance.

Capt. Stone and Griffin then observed Beard and another subject fighting. The officers secured these two subjects, placing one under arrest and the other in the ambulance for medical reasons. By this time, the officers had arrested five people for various charges.

The officerswere still trying to get the crowd under control when back-up arrived. The scene was then secured for investigative purposes.

Detective Ken Kirkland started processing the scene. At this time, Kirkland went inside of the “Fun House” and noticed that the floor had been swept and mopped. Kirkland stated that he was told by these subjects they were told by the owner, Algin Merritt, to clean up.

Kirkland then exited the building and advised Chief Worsley of his findings. Kirkland then searched the parking lot area for any possible evidence. At this time, Chief Worsley advised Kirkland of a possible witness, Ladon McCray. While speaking to McCray, he turned over a knife to Kirkland, stating he thought this knife was used to cut Beard. The officer secured the knife and completed the interview. Kirkland and other officers were then notified of a second victim, Daniel Bivins, who was at the ER with stab wounds.

At this time, Chief Investigator Richard Morgan went to the ER to secure the scene for Detective Kirkland and to photograph the victim’s wounds.

Upon completion of the initial crime scene, Kirkland went to the ER to speak to the victims. During this time he took the victims’ statements as well as also photographing the injuries. While talking to Beard, he stated the subject he was fighting was the one that cut him.

On this date at approximately 0600 hours, Kirkland was notified of a third victim, Teriance Williams, who was at the Bainbridge ER with a stab or gun shot wound. Kirkland responded to the Bainbridge ER and spoke to Williams and his family. During this interview, Williams stated he was fighting with two subjects at the “Fun House” and the shorter subject hit him in the stomach, area of injury. The officer finished the interview and advised the family that the incident would be investigated.

Later on the same date, Kirkland interviewed a Brandon Linzy at the Colquitt Police Department. After the interview, Kirkland returned to the initial scene and made contact with McCray. At this time, Kirkland and McCray did a walk through at the “Fun House” and observed where the altercation took place. Kirkland then re-interviewed McCray. During this interview, McCray identified the possible suspect, Linzy, as being the offender on Beard. Kirkland noticed Beard on scene and re-interviewed him as well. During this interview, Beard also identified Linzy as the offender in his incident. Linzy was then charged in this incident.

On Monday, January 25, Chief Worsley assisted Kirkland in interviewing approximately 20 other possible witnesses. During these interviews, even more names were obtained and a possible shooting incident was verified.

On January 27, Chief Worsley and Kirkland returned to the scene and recovered seeveral blood samples from throughout the interior of the “Fun House.” A lead bullet was also recovered from a raftor during this time. Kirland and Worsley then continued interviewing possible witnesses.

On January 28, Chief Worsley and Kirkland spent the day in Bainbridge at the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office interviewing possible witnesses with the help of Inv. Redell Walton of the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department. During these interviews, a second possible suspect name was obtained as well as evidence placing this suspect with the victim, Daniel Bivins. Upon returning to the Colquitt Police Department, this suspect, Franklin Jones Jr., was interviewed by Worsley and Kirkland. Upon completion of the interview, Jones was placed under arrest and transported to the Miller County Jail.

On February 25, 2010, enough evidence was obtained and a warrant was taken on Antwan Thomas for the assault on Teriance Williams. The case is still under investigation with more witnesses to interview and possible pending warrants.”

The security guard, “Bubba” Beard, was later placed in the Miller County Jail for parole violations.

This was the second time the Fun House had been closed, before it was in business again, last Sunday, February 28.

The owner, Colquitt City Councilman Algin Merritt has been charged and arrested for a number of counts concerning his business. He also faces accusations of ethic violations against him to be taken up by the Colquitt Ethics Committee.

Merritt had previously stated that a judge told him that he could open the Fun House for private parties if he didn’t charge at the door, break the law, or sell alcohol.