NEWINGTON -- Another violent incident at the popular Plaza Azteca restaurant in Newington is shedding some light on past problems with the establishment.
Surrounded by neighboring business on the Berlin Turnpike, Plaza Azteca is trying to keep their reputation from being tarnished by two recent incidents of violence on their property. In addition, past quality of life and municipal issues have put the restaurant under the microscope.
Plaza Azteca Employee Emmanuel Lima heard Tuesday’s shooting.
“Pack everything up because we were about to close and we just heard a couple of pop pop pow pow,” he said. The parking lot brawl broke out about 1AM and ended in a man getting shot. “We just saw people running around the place,” said Lima.
The shooting comes on the heels of another brawl and stabbing in April outside the popular Mexican restaurant on the Berlin Turnpike.
“I don’t really know what’s going on with people right now but they just seem to bring it here you know?” said Lima.
Town officials say it’s on their radar.
“We’re just trying to see if we can verify there’s no common theme to it and make sure that they are operating in a safe environment,” Newington Town Councilor Chris Miner.
Documents obtained by Fox 61 show past problems at Plaza Azteca’s annual Cinco De Mayo celebrations including not paying police for traffic services, inadequate crowd control, and noise complaints.
“The partying that was going on was scaring I believe some of the customers that were coming into our store,” said Bob Lamy, a former Lowe’s employee.
He’s dealt with the Plaza Azteca’s party issues first hand.
“I was the opener so I’d be in here at 5:30 in the morning and it was full sized booze bottles all over the parking lot. They were using the sheds over here as a bathroom.”
Attorney John Kennelly is the General Counsel for the Plaza Azteca Restaurant Group.
He said, “We are committed to being good corporate citizens here in the town of Newington.”
Police said they are investigating a shooting that happened overnight at the Plaza Azteca in Newington.
Kennelly said they’ll be putting more security cameras outside.
“And also when we have special events we are going to increase the physical presence of private security detail.”
Kennelly told Fox 61 he’s been in contact with the Newington Police. Anyone in their parking lot after hours will be considered loitering. Newington town officials say they’ll be talking about how late bars can stay open.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Det. L. DeSimone at (860) 594-6239.