The City of Rockford Legal Department announced today that they have settled the matter of City of Rockford vs. San Jose Cultural Center located at 3780 East State Street.

 The complaint addressed a November 4, 2012 incident which began as a confrontation inside of San Jose Cultural Center and spilled out of the business. Subsequently multiple gun shots were fired in the parking lot of the business as well as other locations as vehicles fled the scene. At least two businesses and one residence were struck by bullets.

 As a result of the November 4th events, the City immediately suspended the Cultural Center’s liquor license for seven (7) days. In the course of the investigation by the Liquor Commission it was determined that the terms and conditions of approval of the liquor license issued to San Jose were violated, and the significant level of violence which subsequently erupted on and about the licensed premises was a direct result of the violation.

 In addition to the immediate relinquishment of the liquor license issued to San Jose Cultural Center, the parties also agreed to the following terms:

•  Liquor License No. ZR-504 issued to the Respondent for the premises located at 3780 East State Street shall be immediately relinquished and become void.

• No alcoholic beverages shall be consumed or sold at the Property until such time as a new, valid liquor permit is issued for consumption on the Property.

• The Respondent shall pay the costs of the court reporter in attendance at the liquor hearing on Wednesday, November 14th, 2012. Said costs shall be no greater than one hundred thirty dollars ($130.00) and shall be due within forty five days from the date of entry of the Final Agreed Order.

• The Respondent shall pay a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00) within forty five days from the date of entry of the Final Agreed Order.

• No action shall be taken against liquor license Nos. ZR-440 issued for the property located at 3035 N. Rockton Avenue and ZR-375 issued for the property located at 3725 E. State Street as a result of the underlying incident on November 4, 2012 at 3780 East State Street. However, nothing in the Final Agreed Order shall be interpreted to waive the Complainant’s right to pursue future action against liquor license Nos. ZR-440 and ZR-375 in the event that illegal or disorderly activity occurs on said licensed premises in the future.

 The owners of the San Jose Cultural Club have worked cooperatively with the City of Rockford to settle this matter. The Liquor Commission hearing scheduled for November 21, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. has been cancelled.