WARREN — City Council voted unanimously Monday to object to the renewal of a Class D5 liquor permit for the Convenient Food Mart on Elm Road, citing ongoing issues with late-night disturbances and violence that they say have plagued the neighborhood.

The decision, made during a special council meeting, follows a series of incidents, including a deadly shooting in the store’s parking lot Aug. 3 that left 31-year-old David Lee Owens III dead and another man injured.

The resolution objects to the renewal of the liquor permit held by Ammar Fawzi Inc., doing business as Convenient Food Mart.

Council members argued that the store’s operation under the permit has shown a disregard for state and local laws and has substantially interfered with public decency, sobriety and peace in the surrounding community, as outlined in Ohio Revised Code.

Councilman Andrew Herman, D-2nd Ward, where the store is located, talked about the severity of the situation.

“There’s a huge liability for the city, for my ward, and for the neighborhood surrounding the Convenient Food Mart,” Herman said after the meeting.

He cites issues such as large, unruly crowds gathering late at night, excessive noise and illegal alcohol sales in to-go containers, which he said contributed to a dangerous environment.

“The business owners themselves told me they couldn’t control them,” he said, referencing the large crowds.

Herman expressed support for the store reopening without a liquor license.

Councilman Michael O’Brien, D-at Large, echoed these concerns during the meeting, stating that the liquor license has led to “increased noise levels, patrons congregating outside, an extraordinary amount of late night disturbances, and an increase in public disturbance as a result of violence.” He stated that the council’s objection sends a “profound message” that such nuisances will not be tolerated.

The council’s decision follows a news conference earlier this month where Warren Mayor Doug Franklin and city officials announced plans to seek the store’s immediate closure after the Aug. 3 shooting.

Many attendees at the news conference wore “Save Our Store” shirts to show support for the Convenient Food Mart. However, store representatives declined to comment following council’s vote on Monday.

The city already has secured a temporary restraining order to board up the store, and a nuisance abatement action is pending in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, with a hearing scheduled Wednesday.

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control has been notified of alleged violations, including surveillance footage showing liquor sales between 4:33 a.m. and 5:09 a.m. the day of the shooting, in violation of an agreement to halt sales between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.

An online petition titled “Save Our Store Convenient Food Mart,” launched to keep the store open, has garnered nearly 400 signatures.

However, city officials, including City Law Director Enzo Cantalamessa, argue that the store’s actions have fueled violence, with four people shot at the location since January 2024.