Last November multiple people were shot, one fatally, inside Chelsea's now-closed Juliet Supper Club. Initially the fact that the club had a number of celebrities in it at the time (five Giants, Ryan Phillippe and more), seemed like a side note to the story—but now it appears to actually be relevant.
As DNAinfo's Murray Weiss reports the man who died, 43-year-old Artis Arthur, "had a suspected history of mugging club-goers, including members of rappers' entourages" and the police's prime suspect, 47-year-old ex-con Victor Walker may have been shooting him to send a message:
As the NYPD progressed with the murder investigation, detectives found evidence that Arthur roamed popular nightspots hunting for victims — particularly rappers, athletes and other celebrities and their friends — who were decked out in bling and other jewelry. He would then point out his targets to accomplices, who would swoop in when their victims left the clubs, sources said. Arthur's alleged targets often did not report the muggings to police because they did not want the hassle or the publicity that would result, sources said. “They just took it is as a loss,” a source added. Among the alleged victims were members of the entourages of rappers Busta Rhymes and Cam'Ron.
The actual motive for killing Arthur, who was carrying $6,500 at the time, is not clear but police say it may have been revenge for another nightclub robbery. According to authorities Walker, seen here, served jail time in Maryland for attempted murder and in New York for robbery. He is wanted for questioning and is believed to be armed and dangerous. Juliet, meanwhile, remains closed (probably forever).
