[8/4/04]As Vicksburg officials worked toward an injunction to close the downtown nightclub that was the scene of a fatal shootout Monday, police said criminal charges remained pending.

“We’ve got a lot more work to do before we even think about anything like that,” Capt. Mark Culbertson said.

He said investigators spent Tuesday trying to find witnesses to the gunfire at what court papers now call the Hill Top Lounge, 1515 Washington St.

Police have said two men exchanged gunfire. One of them, identified as 32-year-old Danny Woodland, was killed. The other, Reginald Rogers, 27, 2404 Railroad Alley, remains in fair condition at River Region Medical Center.

Four others who were taken to the hospital for wounds have all now been released.

The lounge has been closed as a crime scene on orders of Police Chief Tommy Moffett. Lawyers for the City of Vicksburg filed a motion today seeking a temporary injunction to keep it closed. In the motion, attorneys allege other illegal activities the night of the shootings.

“Events advertised and scheduled for the Hill Top Lounge were inflammatory in nature in that the events or productions appear to be designed to focus on the subject of violence…,” wrote city Associate Attorney Bobby Robinson.

Attached to the motion is a flier for an event at the club that was scheduled for this Saturday night. The fier features the image of a semi-automatic pistol like the one used in Monday morning’s shootings and two images of military automatic weapons.

The flier does not specify the nature of the event, but describes it as a “Michael Tyler” production. In the city’s motion, Michael Tyler is listed as a co-defendant and is described as the defacto owner of the club.

Tyler, a convicted felon, is not listed on the club’s privilege license or on the state-issued beer permit.

In the motion, attorneys also assert that on the night of the shooting there were illegal drugs being used in the club and that illegal gambling was taking place.

Defendants named in the motion are Jerry D. Evans and Rictor Evans, who are listed as the business owners on the privilege license, and Elias Rantisi, the landlord. The city is also seeking a permanent injunction against the business.

The motion was filed in Warren County Chancery Court, but Chancellor Vicki Roach Barnes is not expected to hear the case. Barnes has previously recused herself from such cases and transferred hearings to Chancellor Jane Weathersby in Indianola. A date had not been set for the hearing.