Mingle Room closing just over a month after Ashton Dickson's death, says councillor

The Mingle Room Bar & Loungeon Rideau Street is shutting down a little more than amonth after a former high school and university football star from Ottawa was shot to death out front, says the councillor for the area.

• 'Senseless': Football star ID'd as victim of fatal Rideau Street shooting

• No hint Rideau Street bar dispute would turn deadly, manager says

On MondayRideau-VanierCoun. MathieuFleury, tweeted that the "problematic spot" was closed down.

"We met with the property owner and he recognized that the zoning use was not permitted. You could not have a nightclub in that location. You were allowed a restaurant. He recognized that and proceeded with an eviction of the operator," Fleury said.

"We decided to proceed with multiple fronts, that'dbe bylaw services, that'dbe zoning, that it would be public health, that it would be the[Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario].We're all working on differentstrategies."

AshtonDickson, 25, was killed by a single gunshot outside the Ottawa bar in the early hours of June 26.Dicksonplayed running back at St. Patrick's High School in Ottawa and later at St. Francis Xavier University.

At the time of the shooting, Ottawa police Chief CharlesBordeleautold reportersthe incident began as a "minor argument" inside the Mingle Room Bar and Grill before spilling out into the street.

Neighbours upset

At the time of the shooting thebar's manager,ArdyRahmani, confirmed there was an argument betweenDicksonand another patron over cutting in line, butRahmanisaid it had nothing to do with the homicide that later occurred.

"Prior to the homicidehappening, nothing inside indicated to myself or my staff that there was going to be an altercation outside, that there would be a death that would occur,"saidRahmani,who hasbeen managing the Mingle Room since it opened three and a half years ago.

Nearby residents and business owners then started a petition to shut down the bar.

Jocelyn Matthias has spent most of her life living in the neighbourhoodand said she's not sure Mingle Room closing will bring much peace to the neighbourhood.

"Lately stuff has been really bad," she said. "I've never been so scared to live in a unit before."

The mother of two said she no longer feels safe walking with her young kids.

"My neighbourhood definitely was affected by [Dickson's death], for sure."

Fleurysaid he understands the community's frustration, but the city had to follow due process.

"They don't always go as fast because sometimes the owner might bring us to court and we have to defend our approach in court," he said.

"I think it will go a long way in making it safer," said Fleury."It was drawing a night aspect in and along RideauStreet. I know it's a main street, but in and around [it's] residential which wasn't desirable."