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UPDATED: Man who fought for Destin strip club shot outside Atlanta club
DESTIN — The man who sued the city to allow an adult entertainment club was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon outside his strip club in DeKalb, Ga.
Terry Stephenson, 49, was found outside the Pin Ups club about 1 p.m. after he left the building to take money to the bank, said Mekka Parish, spokeswoman for the DeKalb Police Department.
“As he was headed to his car he was approached by a suspect who fired a gun at him, hitting him at least one time,” Parish said.
He died while being taken to a hospital. The investigation is ongoing.
The city settled a lawsuit with Stephenson in February that allowed him to open a strip club on industrial-zoned property along Airport Road. He initially applied to the city in 2009 for an adult entertainment license for The Oasis on Mountain Drive. The business closed shortly after the settlement.
Destin City Manager Greg Kisela said the last time he spoke to Stephenson he was told construction on the club on Airport Road was set to begin this summer. Kisela said work has not started but that there is nothing to stop it.
“I think this certainly will be a setback to opening it,” Kisela said. “It’s really too early for us to predict.
“This is a tragic death, especially for his family,” Kisela said. “I know it was associated with the adult entertainment center he owned. That was some of the city’s concerns with opening one up here — the adverse effects it can have.”
Frances Montalvo, manager of HarborWalk Charters, cried as she talked about Stephenson. She said she had known him for nearly five years.
“He was the best guy,” Montalvo said. “All people want to focus on is Oasis. They didn’t know the man.”
She said Stephenson was family-oriented and a good businessman.
“Oasis was just a club,” she said. “That was the business. The man I knew was a real, real great guy.”
Montalvo wiped her tears and helped a charter boat captain who was knocking on the door of her office Wednesday afternoon. She then looked out at the dock and pointed to where Stephenson often fished with his four children.
“I can’t even think about it,” she said. “I didn’t sleep at all last night. We over here, we loved him very much.”
Stephenson’s charter boat One of a Kind swayed in the water in Destin Harbor. Chip Godwin, who helps his brother Casey Godwin in the charter business, said Stephenson’s death still hasn’t hit him.
“I really loved him to death,” Godwin said. “He was as good a person as you ever want to meet. He was always friendly. He’d offer anyone a beer if they were passing by. He’s gonna be really, really missed.”
A COLLECTION OF COVERAGE
EDITORIAL: Idealism, reality and nude dancing
EDITORIAL: Isn't under oath enough for city after Oasis bares it all
EDITORIAL: Oasis makes a mole hill out of a Mountain
EDITORIAL: The naked truth: Strip clubs can lead to trouble
EDITORIAL: Family matters, but does a topless bar?
THE ANATOMY OF A TOPLESS BAR LAWSUIT
Pastors gear up for 'spiritual warfare' as city vows to fight
