WORCESTER, Mass. — City regulators have slashed operating hours for Southbridge Street adult entertainment venue Hurricane Betty’s after police uncovered widespread security and operational violations during an investigation into an October 11 fatal shooting outside the establishment.
In a unanimous decision Wednesday, the Worcester License Commission ordered the venue to cease serving alcohol and halt entertainment operations by 8:00 p.m. daily. The emergency restriction will remain in effect until a formal violation hearing on November 5, where the commission will determine further administrative penalties.
The action follows an Oct. 11 incident in which Worcester police responded to two automated ShotSpotter alerts near 350 Southbridge St. around 2:06 a.m. Upon arrival, officers located two male gunshot victims, both of whom were transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center facilities by private vehicles. One of the victims later succumbed to his injuries.
During the status hearing, Worcester Police Sgt. Thomas Needham presented findings from security camera footage supplied by the club. According to police testimony, surveillance video revealed multiple regulatory infractions on the night of the shooting, including:
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Patrons entering after the mandatory 1:45 a.m. door closure and being served alcohol
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Unauthorized bottle service, including a 750-milliliter tequila bottle on the premises
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Patrons exiting the venue with open alcoholic beverages
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Failure of venue security staff to report an internal physical altercation that eventually escalated into the parking lot
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Guests bypassing metal detectors and entering without showing identification
The security measures—specifically metal detector screenings and mandatory ID checks—were legally mandated sanctions imposed after a 2022 homicide at the same establishment that took the life of 27-year-old Deondre Matthews.
Worcester Police Captain Jim Johnson, head of the department’s investigative division, urged commissioners to issue an immediate reduction in hours, citing a total disregard for safety conditions previously imposed by the city.
Attorney Sean Smith, representing Hurricane Betty’s, stated that the club is fully cooperating with law enforcement and an active grand jury inquiry conducted by the District Attorney’s Office.
Family members of the recent shooting victim also spoke during the hearing, expressing grief and calling for accountability while criticizing management for failing to maintain required security protocols or contact the family following the tragedy.
Commission Chairperson Anthony Vigliotti noted the severity of the repeated violations before the board called the vote, highlighting that the venue had previously been disciplined for similar safety lapses.
The License Commission will formally review potential license suspensions or revocations during its scheduled November 5 hearing.
