UPDATE (3/11):

Gallo & Iacovangelo, LLP law firm released a statement Saturday on behalf of the Main Street Armory:

“The Main Street Armory, Scott Donaldson, and his team are devastated by the events that occurred on March 5, 2023. Our deepest condolences go out to the families, friends and loved ones of Rhondesia Belton, Brandy Miller and Aisha Stephens. Over the years, the Armory has successfully hosted hundreds of events.

The Armory is confident that when the investigation concludes it will be determined that the Armory complied with all applicable codes, regulations, and laws, as it has in the past. The City took unilateral action in denying the Armory’s renewal for an entertainment license and inaccurately stated that Scott Donaldson simply “failed” to appear at a meeting requested by the City to be held on March 8, 2023.

Mr. Donaldson’s attorney contacted the City on March 7, 2023, and requested that the meeting be adjourned until later in the week, or early the following week as he was engaged in another legal matter.

The City summarily dismissed this reasonable request and decided to deny the renewal of the entertainment license, a license that the Armory possessed for years. Mr. Donaldson, on behalf of the Armory, cooperated fully with the City on the date of the incident, and continues to do so by consenting to the City’s request to inspect the premises which is scheduled to occur on a date chosen by the City.

The thought of hosting another concert at the Armory while the families, friends and loved ones of these women grieve remains the furthest thing from Mr. Donaldson’s mind. Again, the Armory and its team’s thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and all members of the community impacted by Sunday’s events.”

ORIGINAL (3/8):

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The Main Street Armory is no longer allowed to host any public entertainment after an order was signed Wednesday by Rochester Police Department Chief Smith.

Rochester Police Chief Smith explained the decision alongside City of Rochester Corporation Counsel Patrick Beath at an afternoon briefing.

Beath said that RPD’s Licensing Unit was scheduled to meet with Main Street Armory Owner Scott Donaldson and the City Corporation Counsel’s Office early Wednesday, following the crowd surge that killed 2 and injured 8 Monday night.

The meeting, according to Smith, would have presented Donaldson with the choice to cease holding entertainment events at the Main Street Armory, or have the pending renewal of the Armory’s Entertainment License denied. While Donaldson initially agreed to go, just before the meeting began, Donaldson’s attorney said that Donaldson would not be able to attend.

“Our intent was to present him with a choice to voluntarily cease holding entertainment events at that venue while the investigations continued, or have the pending renewal denied,” Chief Smith said. “The owner declined to attempt this meeting.”

Following the cancelled meeting, Smith signed an order denying the Main Street Armory’s renewal application to hold entertainment events going forward.

The denial means that the venue can no longer host any public entertainment as the RPD continues their investigation.

A public notice of the denial has been posted at the Main Street Armory.

Public entertainment includes concerts, amplified music, and athletic events or games, including volleyball or cheerleading.

“[The closing] is one step we can immediately take to ensure that the events of Sunday night are not repeated,” Chief Smith said.

Chief Smith adds that Donaldson has provided everything asked of him throughout the investigation. He has met with other RPD staff and was present at Sunday night’s scene.

Prior to the notice, rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie was scheduled to play there March 11, according to a tweet from the musician. The only other event listed is a cannabis convention on April 20.

FULL BRIEFING:

FULL DENIAL OF LICENSE:

Check back with News 8 WROC as we will continue to update this developing story.