St. Catharines, ON – In the latest news from St. Catharines shooting, a downtown nightclub, Club 88, has had its liquor licence suspended by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) following a violent incident in April that left a 16-year-old boy from Ajax injured. The shooting occurred inside the club on April 27, and although the teen’s injuries were non-life-threatening, the event raised serious concerns about safety and accountability in the city’s nightlife scene. This week, the AGCO confirmed it is not only suspending the licence but has also begun the process of permanently revoking it.
As part of a parallel regulatory investigation separate from ongoing police arrests, AGCO officials uncovered what they describe as a “prolonged pattern of inconsistent and contradictory information” regarding who actually owns and operates Club 88. AGCO CEO Karin Schnarr stated that such a lack of transparency puts public safety at risk and undermines trust.
“Honesty and transparency are absolute requirements,” she emphasized, adding that the licence suspension aims to protect public interest and enforce accountability. With Club 88’s future now uncertain, this St. Catharines shooting has become a flashpoint in the broader conversation about nightlife safety and responsible business practices in Ontario.