Six shot outside West side's Select Lounge; unclear if club will re-open
Six people, including two police officers, were shot Sunday morning outside Select Lounge, a recently opened West side club that billed itself as the "premiere [sic] destination for sophisticated club connoisseurs, savvy socialites, A-list celebrities and Baltimore's elite."
It's unclear when or if the club will re-open following the tragedy. Manager Alex Wolde couldn't be reached for comment.
Police were called to crowd control a chaotic scene outside the club Sunday morning when, around 1:15 a.m., an altercation broke out and multiple shots were fired, police said. Eight-year police veteran William H. Torbit Jr., 33, and civilian Sean "Loz" Gamble died at the scene.
Crime Beat has a comprehensive timeline of the events. Police still haven't determined who instigated the shootings.
Select Lounge opened in October with a lavish party that was sponsored by Belvedere Vodka (grand opening flier at right). Midnight Sun reviewed it. Owners had high hopes it would attract local VIPs.
It might have been on its way. Raven Dannell Ellerbe celebrated his birthday there in December.
It's unclear when the young club will re-open, or indeed, what effect this will have in the long run. Police tell Crime Beat the club hadn't drawn extraordinary attention since it opened. But, already, some patrons are saying they won't return there.
Phone calls to manager Alex Wolde haven't been returned.
And the club's frequently updated Facebook and Twitter have been silent since January 5.
At the scene, reporter Justin Fenton writes, the club's parking lot is blocked off by police tape.
More updates to come tomorrow.






