Liquor License Suspended At Wafu Asian Bistro After Weekend Shooting

FAIRFIELD, CT — Wafu Asian Bistro, the site of a weekend shooting that left one person injured, had its liquor permit suspended indefinitely this week by the Connecticut Liquor Control Commission.

"This suspension comes because of a referral to the DCP Liquor Control Division from the Fairfield Police Department on June 20, 2022, regarding events that occurred during the early morning hours of June 19, 2022," officials wrote in a statement.

The shooting occurred at about 12:15 a.m. following an altercation at the Post Road Southport restaurant. The victim, who Fairfield police did not identify, suffered a gunshot wound to one of his arms; he has been treated for the injury at Bridgeport Hospital and was released. No other injuries were reported.

In a three-page letter to the commission, Fairfield Police Chief Robert Kalamaras detailed several incidents at the restaurant over the past several months, adding that the spot appears to have been "converted into a gentlemen’s club."

"The [shooting] victim suffered a bullet wound which traveled through his left arm and into his left side," Kalamaras wrote. "The victim was uncooperative during the investigation, and would provide no useful information [to] detectives. Inside the restaurant several hard wired surveillance cameras, as well as an Arlo wireless camera were located. Investigators would learn from the business-owners that all of the cameras were inoperable."

Ten rounds were fired, according to Kalamaras, and some of those bullets struck a nearby business and a parked vehicle.

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Additionally, Kalamaras alerted the commission to the following incidents:

• DCP Liquor Control Agents identified 10 minors being served alcohol in the premise on March 31, 2022
• The fire marshal had to shut the premise due to it being over capacity on March 17, 2022
• A bouncer unlawfully pepper sprayed six patrons without cause on February 11, 2022
• Numerous local colleges and residents have complained to police about the general conduct of the premise.

"It is clear from these repeated events, that this establishment currently poses a significant public health and safety risk to the surrounding community," said Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull. "We expect our permittees to be good neighbors in their communities and to take the health and safety of their customers and neighbors seriously. Thank you to the Fairfield Police Department for their ongoing work with us to address issues at this establishment and for quickly bringing this most recent matter to our attention."

While the Wafu's liquor permit is under suspension, the restaurant can still serve food, though a sign on the door said it was closed Monday through Wednesday "for maintenance."

— Image via CT Liquor Control Commission