Police Say Club Is A Troubled Spot

A 21-year-old Tulsa man has died after being shot inside Club UV in downtown Tulsa. Police officers say there are constantly problems at the club. The News On 6's Dan Bewley reports there is a special condition that allows the establishment, where Eric Bell was shot, to stay open into the early morning hours.

The building at 2nd and Greenwood has been the scene of two shootings in less than a year. Sunday's proved deadly. The News On 6 spent Monday researching Club UV, trying to determine who owns it and why it stays open until four in the morning.

Just after two Sunday morning, Tulsa Police found Eric Bell inside the Club UV. The 21 year old had been shot once in the chest. Alert and talking to investigators at the time, he died after being taken to the hospital. The building is the same place where a 15-year-old boy and 18-year-old Jeremy Lin were shot last February. Both survived, but Lin still has the bullet from the shooting in his face. Doctors say it may never be removed.

Back then, the nightclub was called the Ministry. So who's behind Club UV and the Ministry? The News On 6 checked with the City of Tulsa. Documents show a company called Shark Corporation is licensed to do business as Club UV, serving food and low-point beer. As for the Ministry, we previously reported it was in the name of Joe and Lillian Kitchell. Joe's brother is Steve Kitchell.

Steve Kitchell declined an on-camera interview, but told The News On 6 his brother also owned the Shark Corporation, that he had passed away and would not identify who was currently in charge of the company.

Tulsa police tell The News On 6 Club UV is problem spot for them on the weekends, saying it takes advantage of an exemption allowing it to stay open until 4 o'clock in the morning. That's two hours after others clubs close their doors.

It comes from a 1993 Tulsa ordinance which allows clubs like UV to avoid being defined as an entertainment club. It says dances or events sponsored by a non-profit political, educational, religious, or fraternal organization are allowed to stay open after 2 a.m.

Steve Kitchell declined to identify the name of the non-profit group that sponsors Club UV and The News On 6 could not find any documents with the city clerk's office or the police department listing the same information.

The investigation also failed to turn up a list with the city of other clubs that also take advantage of the after two ordinance. According to Tulsa Police, since June 1st there have been nine calls for service to Club UV and 15 calls to another popular nightclub nearby, but police say that doesn't take into account the number of times officers have been flagged down outside the club.

Police say they have a person of interest in Sunday's shooting but have not made any arrests.