FULLERTON : 2 More Attacks Spell Trouble for Ice House

The problem-plagued Ice House soon may be on the rocks.

Just a month after the City Council restored the entertainment permit for the controversial banquet hall, two more attacks occurred in connection with parties there.

Police Chief Patrick McKinley said one incident involved a drive-by shooting in which a 14-year-old boy was wounded in the thigh two weeks ago. The boy was badly wounded but survived, he said.

The other attack occurred about three weeks ago. A fight broke out inside the Ice House during a party, McKinley said. A man was pistol-whipped and several gunshots were fired from inside the building, he said. No one was hit.

McKinley said he immediately imposed a rule requiring Ice House operators to notify the Fire Department any time they hold an event, limit the number of people to 145 or less and hire two off-duty police officers to serve as security.

At a meeting next month, he said, he will recommend that the City Council shut down the Ice House for good.

In March, planning commissioners revoked the Ice House’s entertainment permit, citing violence that marred two punk rock concerts there. Last month, however, the council allowed the owners to continue operating because they promised not to have more punk rock concerts.

Police had urged city officials to close the place to concerts but had said they would not oppose family-oriented parties such as wedding receptions and birthday celebrations.

Now, “it will be my recommendation that the council discontinue the Ice House’s permit,” McKinley said.

Operators of the Ice House could not be reached for comment Tuesday.