VICKSBURG — Vicksburg records show T&T Security, the company hired by the promoters of a party during which one man was killed and two others were shot, was not licensed to do business in the city.
The Vicksburg Post reports a copy of the business license for T&T Security it obtained from the city under a Freedom of Information Act request shows the license expired July 31, 2012. Paula Wright with the city inspection office said the license had not been renewed.
T&T owner Michael J. Thomas, 46, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Michael Robinson. Robinson, 27, died from a gunshot wound to the chest during a fight at the party.
According to the Legion hall’s regulations, the organization sponsoring the event must provide security from a licensed and bonded company. The event was sponsored by Key Low Productions & U Town Enterprises. Keith Lee, CEO of Key Low Productions, declined to comment, the newspaper reported.
Police Chief Walter Armstrong said he was unaware T&T’s business license had expired. He said further charges might be possible, pending further investigation.
“They (the party promoters) did what they were supposed to do under the rules and hired a security company. They didn’t check the background,” Armstrong said.
Thomas is being held in the in the Warren County Jail in lieu of $125,000 bond.
Two other men, Morris Anthony Davis, 36, and David Matthew Reed, 43, are each charged with two counts of aggravated assault and being held in the county jail each in lieu of $300,000 bail. They are accused of shooting and wounding Wade Carter, 24, and Charles Brooks, 34, during the fight at the hall.
Brooks remains in serious condition at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Carter was taken to River Region Medical Center. Information on his condition was unavailable.
Thomas had a permit to carry a concealed firearm.
Under state law, a business permit, a permit to carry a firearm and being bonded are all that’s required to operate a security company or be a security guard.
City officials closed the Legion hall to other events pending the completion of the police investigation.
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