Houston police are cracking down on after hours clubs which welcome people who've had to leave the bars at closing time but want to continue the bar experience.
The problem is these so-called clubs attract assaults, public intoxication and DWIs and are not operating legally, especially if alcohol is being served in defiance of state laws.
Houston Police Major Assaults investigators are often seen at incidents that happen at after-hours clubs, as they were at Latina's Club on Hillcroft near the 69 Southwest Freeway about 3 am Sunday, in the Gulfton area.
"Establishments that harbor within our city contribute to crime, so the Houston Police Department, we are targeting these locations and we're going to shut them down," Assistant Police Chief J. Skelton said Sunday morning.
The club was packed with people and police say alcohol was being served when there were sudden gunshots from outside the club, as patrons scrambled for cover.
In all, six men were shot and sent to hospitals, with four of them said to be in critical condition, some needing immediate surgery to remove bullets.
"This is what harbors in our communities, nightclubs when they're supposed to be closed, serving alcohol," Assistant Chief Skelton said, noting police intend to force them to close.