A Nightclub Incident Turns Violent: Suspect Charged After Security Shooting Hits a Companion
The danger inherent in private security work was sharply illuminated recently in Charlotte, North Carolina, when a nightclub confrontation escalated into a shooting that wounded an unintended person. The incident, which unfolded at the notorious Club Onyx, has resulted in a 20 year old man being charged, while the armed security guard was cleared of wrongdoing by police.
The evening started as a routine end to the night for the security detail at the south Charlotte club. Court documents detail how 20 year old Rylee Koenders, refusing to leave after the club closed, allegedly went to his car, returned with a rifle, and pointed it at one of the security guards.
In response to the imminent threat, the security guard fired a shot. While the initial target was Koenders, the bullet reportedly struck a person who was with him. Thankfully, the person who was hit is expected to recover.
Following the chaos, Koenders was later located by officials hiding in the woods. He now faces two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and is being held on a high bond. Police investigators on the scene quickly determined that the security guard had acted in self defense given the lethal threat he faced.
The legal framework for the use of deadly force in North Carolina offers some clarity in such high stakes situations. The state’s laws on self defense allow a person, including a security guard in a workplace, to use deadly force without a duty to retreat if they reasonably believe the force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to themselves or another person. The situation the guard faced, involving an individual allegedly pointing a rifle, appears to fall squarely within these guidelines.
This incident also shines a spotlight on the venue itself. Club Onyx has been linked to numerous police calls and prior incidents of violence over the years, including a parking lot shooting just months ago in September. In fact, years ago, the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission suspended the club’s alcohol permit after police responded to hundreds of calls for service at the location within a three year period, with incidents ranging from armed robbery to aggravated assault.
The dangers for private security personnel are well documented nationally, as they often bridge the gap between civilian life and law enforcement. Protective service occupations, which include security guards and police officers, account for nearly one fifth of workplace homicides in the United States. Furthermore, homicides make up a much larger percentage of fatal work injuries for security guards compared to the average worker, with customers or clients being a common assailant. This Charlotte case, while not fatal, underscores the kind of split second, life or death decisions armed guards are forced to make when facing a direct threat.
Koenders’ next court date is currently scheduled for January 9. In the meantime, the shooting serves as a chilling reminder of how quickly routine security work can turn into a violent scene, tragically ensnaring not only those involved in the confrontation, but also those nearby.