Texas Bar Linked to Mass Shooting Will Surrender Liquor License

A Dallas-area bar that served a man before he fatally shot eight people at a nearby home will give up its liquor license in a settlement with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

The Local Public House in Plano will cancel its permit effective Wednesday as part of a settlement approved last week, the Dallas Morning News reported. Spencer Hight had been drinking at the bar on Sept. 10, 2017, before he traveled to his estranged wife’s home and opened fire as she hosted a football watch party.

His estranged wife, Meredith Hight, and seven other people were killed. Spencer Hight was later killed by police responding to the shooting .

Under the settlement, the bar’s permit holder didn’t admit to wrongdoing. Local Public House’s attorney, Ryan Hughes, declined comment.

A lawsuit filed by the parents of three victims accused the bar and a bartender of negligence for serving Spencer Hight, who was visibly intoxicated when he arrived at the bar for the second time that day, according to a report by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

The Collin County medical examiner’s office found that Hight had a blood alcohol level of 0.33 during the shooting, which is about four times the state’s legal limit for driving.

Hight also showed a large knife to the bartender, who kept serving him alcoholic beverages, according to the commission’s report.

The defendants have denied the allegations.

“This case shows the critically important role that TABC-licensed businesses play in upholding public safety,” said Bentley Nettles, the commission’s executive director. “Anyone, including customers, business owners, or employees, should contact their local police any time they suspect a threat to the public. In some cases, shootings like this can be stopped before a life is lost.”

Police records show Hight’s behavior prompted employees to call 911, but it wasn’t soon enough. Search warrants indicate two employees were concerned enough to follow Hight as he drove to his estranged wife’s home.

Friends said Hight had grown despondent as his marriage dissolved and was drinking heavily.