Warehouse Linked To 'Tattoo Party' Killings Loses Permit

The Board of Zoning Adjustments voted Thursday to revoke the permit of C&M Trailer Rentals, the business that for a "tattoo party" in October that was followed by a parking lot shooting that .

The Board rebuffed owner Damon McKinney's plea that he be fined but not shut down for allowing a promoter to use his space at 2661 Alvarado Street to host a party that drew more than 150 people to hear music and get tattoos.

McKinney told the Board his "heart went out" to the family and friends of the victims, who included a .

He also admitteded in retrospect that he had rented out the space without authority, but said the shootings had occurred in the parking lot outside his business after the party ended.

"I am no more responsible for what took place in this location than Walmart is for what took place in their parking lot," McKinney told the Board, in a reference to the Black Friday shooting.

Several speakers appeared in McKinney's favor, including Bal Theatre owner Dan Dillman, who has . 

But the decision to revoke the permit was unanimous.

Board member Thomas Makin noted that McKinney's permit to rent out trailers for hauling motorcyles was brand new when he exceeded that authority by letting the warehouse be used for the party.

After the meeting McKinney told Patch that he plans to appeal the decision to the City Council.

He said he had invested two years and $70,000 into setting up the business. He said one the expenses was a last-minute fee of $8,600 from the city.

It was to help recoup that last expense that he let out the space for the party that preceded the killings, he said.

Although he now realizes that he did not have a right to let his space be used for such an event, McKinney said he didn't realize that at the time. He thinks that he had let the city know of his intention to sublet the warehouse for events by including flyers to that effect in his permit application.

Zoning board members disputed that last assertion and were unpersuaded by his attempt to mitigate his role in October's tragic events.

If the City Council does not reverse or amend the zoning board upon appeal, it will turn out to be a costly mistake McKinney, who told Patch that he got $300 for that fateful rental.

Meanwhile, police have in connection with the killings while they search for a second gunman in an investigation that remains stalled despite the city's offer of a $10,000 reward for information leading to a second arrest.