Birmingham Entertainment Center
Birmingham Entertainment Center (BEC, formerly Chubby's Restaurant & Lounge, also known as Chubbys Three, Club Chubbys or Old Chubbys) is a nightclub and event center located at 2700 16th Street North in Acipco-Finley. The business was incorporated in 2006 by Judy Davis. It was originally located a block and a half west of the present club, at 2512 16th Street North.
On June 11, 2006, Casey Jones, 24, died from stab wounds received during an argument at the lounge. Ronnie Abraham Williams was charged with murder, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter in July 2008. He was sentenced to 20 years with a minimum of 5 years served and 5 years probation.
On November 22, 2009, three people were struck by gunfire in the early morning hours. One was a club employee leaving by bicycle, the other two were shot as they were leaving the establishment. All three victims survived. Within a month, Davis applied to transfer the club's liquor license to the present facility a block and a half to the east, adjacent to the railroad tracks. The former club continued to operate as an all-ages event venue. One person was injured in a shooting there in December 2012.
Another shooting took place outside the current club while it was closing early on the morning of Saturday, January 13, 2018. Two people, one of whom was a Birmingham Police officer, suffered minor injuries.
References
- Rossman-Reich, Phillip (July 9, 2008) "Man pleads guilty to manslaughter." Birmingham News
- Faulk, Kent (November 22, 2009) "Three people struck by gunfire near Birmingham nightclub." Birmingham News
- McCarty, Sara A. (December 9, 2012) "Shooting outside Birmingham Entertainment Center sends victim to hospital." The Birmingham News
- Robinson, Carol (January 13, 2018) "Officer, civilian shot when gunfire erupts outside Birmingham nightclub." The Birmingham News