Two bouncers and a teenage club-goer were injured early Sunday when fighting erupted outside The Industry teen club in downtown Augusta.
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Andre McCladdie, 16, of Augusta, told police he was struck with a brick and attacked by several boys who accused him of being from "803," or South Carolina. He required 11 stitches to close a gash above his right eye.
Club employee Jason Moody tried to stop the attack, but the group jumped him and beat him until he blacked out, police said. He suffered a chipped tooth and injuries to his jaw and left wrist.
The victims said the off-duty deputies who usually work at the teen club were not there Saturday night. It took police 30 minutes to respond, said Blaine Carter, a 20-year-old club bouncer who complained of a stomach injury but refused treatment.
Sheriff's Maj. Ken Autry said investigators will try to find the attackers and re-examine other recent brawls at The Industry, in the 500 block of Reynolds Street.
"We've had some problems out at that place," he said. "The vice division will reassess the situation and see if any action needs to be taken against the license-holder and the license."
The major said deputies sometimes quit working at clubs, especially those with repeated problems. In those cases, it is the club owner's responsibility to hire security.
The Industry, which opened in January, has had several fights, which led owner Andreax Jarre to start closing earlier. Mr. Jarre would not comment Sunday.
Andre, the teen in the brick assault, said he has seen fighting just about every weekend he has gone to The Industry, but that he kept returning because he was never injured. He said the boys who began the brawls had been inside the club but left when it closed.
Andre's father, Horace McCladdie, said he is upset about his son's injuries and hospital bills. He said the club should be forced to close.
"I never wanted him to go, no way," he said. "I'm not going to let him go back because of the violence."
Reach Greg Rickabaugh at (706) 828-3851 or greg.rickabaugh@augustachronicle.com.
