We ‘Fell Short’ In Roofie Victim Case: CMPD

CHARLOTTE, NC — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says it is launching an investigation into a weeks-old report by a victim that she was slipped a drug at an uptown rooftop bar, along with it’s officers’ response, it said Friday.

In a video complaint about police response, Leah McGuirk said that on May 12, she was slipped a drug unknowingly — or “roofied” — at Rooftop 210, a popular bar in uptown Charlotte. “I tried to file a police report in downtown Charlotte but the officer refused to let me file, stating that I would need to return to the scene of the crime and call 911 from there.” she said in the video.

After the officer’s response, McGuirk turned to social media. She detailed the May 12 incident in a Facebook post, saying that she had one drink while meeting up with friends. About 30 minutes later, she felt faint.

Here is McGuirks account of what happened next:

“My vision began to blur and I heard a hissing sound in my ears. There were very few chairs there, so I propped myself against a steel column to steady myself. When my vision went completely black, I slid down to the floor to regain my composure. My friend asked if I had alot to drink before I met up with her or if I hadn't eaten dinner. Neither of those things were true, yet my legs and arms felt as useless as wet rags. I tried to stand up a couple of times, before (I don't remember this part) slumping down on the ground and dropping my drink and purse. According to my friend, I had what looked like a seizure before I regained consciousness. Thankfully, I have great friends who took me somewhere safe and made sure I was ok."

Since posting her experience online, McGuirk said she has been contacted by 10 people, three of whom told her they were sexually assaulted as a result of being roofied in the bar in the last year, she said.

On Friday, CMPD publicly responded and said it “fell short” in investigating the case.

“While we aim to provide top-notch service to all victims, we clearly fell short in this instance,” CMPD said. “When that happens, we need to know. If you feel you have not been treated appropriately by CMPD, please report it.”

In a June 1 press conference, CMPD Lt. Melanie Peacock said that while there are some instances when police advise a citizen to go back to the scene of a crime, such as a vehicle accident, a complaint such as McGuirk’s would not fit the category, The Charlotte Observer reported. “But a report with a nature such as this, we would never advocate for a victim to have to go back and call somebody else,” Peacock said.

According to preliminary statistics compiled by CMPD, there has been one reported rape and three reported sex offenses at the Epicenter located 210 E. Trade Street in Charlotte, which is the address shared with Rooftop 210.

“Two of the reports make mention or have indicator of victim being drugged,” CMPD said in a statement June 1. “There are four additional calls or reports of victims possibly being drugged, but either no sexual assault or not enough to classify a report as such.”

Photo via Monkey Business Images/ Shutterstock