'What's wrong with this place?': Business owner says mass shooting impacting Birmingham, Alabama business

4 months ago 2

2.5 HOURS OF THE EVENT. BACK HERE IN BIRMINGHAM, THE FIVE POINTS SOUTH COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO SEARCH FOR ANSWERS AS TO WHY THIS SHOOTING HAPPENED. WVTM 13 S BRYCE OSELEN SPOKE TO BUSINESS OWNERS WHO WERE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW IT WILL AFFECT THE AREA. MOVING FORWARD. NORMALLY, THIS RESTAURANT WOULD BE FILLED WITH PEOPLE COMING IN AND OUT OF THE DOOR. I SPOKE WITH ONE LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER WHO SAYS THAT THE MASS SHOOTING IS AFFECTING HIS POCKETS. IT’S VERY SAD TO SEE THIS HAPPEN VERY NEXT TO OUR BUSINESS AND IT DOES IMPACT OUR BUSINESS. PINTO SURMA IS THE GENERAL MANAGER OF BAY LEAF IN FIVE POINTS. SURMA SAYS BUSINESS IS NORMALLY BOOMING ON THE WEEKENDS, BUT AFTER RECENT EVENTS WE HAVE LIKE MORE THAN 16 RESERVATIONS GOT CANCELED. TODAY I GOT SO MANY CALLS FROM SO MANY PEOPLES ASKING US WE ARE OKAY OR NOT, AND I DON’T KNOW WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PLACE. AUTHORITIES CONTINUE THEIR INVESTIGATION. SURMA SAYS HIS COMMUNITY JUST DOESN’T FEEL LIKE HOME ANYMORE. IT USED TO BE VERY NICE BEFORE, LIKE 2 OR 3 YEARS BACK. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. IT’S VERY NICE. BUSINESS WAS VERY GOOD. BUT RIGHT NOW, I WOULD SAY HELL HO

LIVE UPDATES | WHAT WE KNOW | THE VICTIMS | THE SCENE | FLOWERS | HUSH LOUNGE STATEMENTFour people are dead and 17 others were shot when multiple shooters fired on people outside in the open Saturday night, according to Birmingham police.It happened outside Hush, a hookah and cigar lounge on Magnolia Avenue in Five Points South.That is an entertainment district with restaurants and nightlife.“It's very sad to see this happen right next to our business and it does impact our business,” said Pintu Sarmah, general manager of Bayleaf in the Five Points neighborhood. Sarmah said business is normally booming on the weekends, but after recent events customers are staying in.“We had more than 16 reservations got canceled today. I got so many calls from so many people asking us if we're OK or not, and I don't know what's wrong with this place,” Sarmah said.>> VIDEO: The morning after the shootingSarmah said his community doesn’t feel like home anymore.“It used to be very nice before two or three years back; it was beautiful, it was very nice, business was very good, but right now, I would say (expletive) hole,” Sarmah said.>> THE LATEST: What we know about the mass shootingPolice are asking anyone with information to submit evidence to the Birmingham Police Department's evidence submission portal. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Tips can be sent to the FBI by calling 1-800-225-5324 or here. There is a combined $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —

Four people are dead and 17 others were shot when multiple shooters fired on people outside in the open Saturday night, according to Birmingham police.

It happened outside Hush, a hookah and cigar lounge on Magnolia Avenue in Five Points South.

That is an entertainment district with restaurants and nightlife.

“It's very sad to see this happen right next to our business and it does impact our business,” said Pintu Sarmah, general manager of Bayleaf in the Five Points neighborhood.

Sarmah said business is normally booming on the weekends, but after recent events customers are staying in.

“We had more than 16 reservations got canceled today. I got so many calls from so many people asking us if we're OK or not, and I don't know what's wrong with this place,” Sarmah said.

>> VIDEO: The morning after the shooting

Sarmah said his community doesn’t feel like home anymore.

“It used to be very nice before two or three years back; it was beautiful, it was very nice, business was very good, but right now, I would say (expletive) hole,” Sarmah said.

>> THE LATEST: What we know about the mass shooting

Police are asking anyone with information to submit evidence to the Birmingham Police Department's evidence submission portal. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Tips can be sent to the FBI by calling 1-800-225-5324 or here. There is a combined $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

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