Lancaster Bans Pay-to-Enter Parties After Fatal Shooting

In the wake of a fatal shooting at a pay-to-enter party, the Lancaster City Council agreed to outlaw such events in residential neighborhoods.

A city ordinance unanimously approved by the council Monday calls for a fine of up to $500 or six months in jail or both for anyone charging admission to a party in a private home. The ordinance will take effect March 7.

The ordinance follows the Dec. 18 shooting death of Rayshaun Love at a pay-to-enter house party in Lancaster. Five days after the shooting, Love’s half-brother, Eric Gunn, pleaded not guilty to a murder charge as well as to two attempted murder charges stemming from the incident. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Feb. 25.

Love’s killing is not the first to occur at a pay-to-enter party in the Antelope Valley. Since 1990, two other deaths and numerous injuries have occurred at the get-togethers.

There are already regulations in place that would seem to apply to these events.

Richard Collins, head of Lancaster’s code enforcement division, said building and zoning codes already regulate the use of property and fire codes impose limits on crowd size.

He said any business use of a property in a residential area requires city approval. There are also city business license requirements and the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control mandates that a license be obtained for any gathering that includes the sale of alcohol.

“The ordinance the City Council adopted specifically addresses pay-to-enter situations, where the other ordinances regulate uses in general for health and safety concerns,” Collins said.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Bob Denham said Lancaster’s new ordinance “gives us another tool.”

The ordinance does not apply to charitable, political or religious gatherings where participants make a donation.