A shooting near the popular roller rink Skate Key Sunday has prompted a renewed effort to have the establishment shut down.
Police are investigating whether an argument outside Skate Key led to the shooting of a 15-year-old three blocks away. Police say the boy, who is in stable condition, was shot in the collar bone by a stray bullet. Judy Rivera, of Mott Haven, says she would like the rink to shut down because she doesn't feel it's a safe place.
This isn't the first time there has been trouble associated with Skate Key. Last year, the rink was temporarily shut down after it sold alcohol to auxiliary police officers posing as minors. The rink was ordered to close earlier than 3 a.m., but about two weeks ago that restriction was lifted. Community Board 1 Chairman George Rodriguez says the rink should never have been allowed to reopen. He says the rink has been a constant problem for the neighborhood, but efforts to close it down have failed.
Police say since 2000, at least 12 people were either shot or stabbed inside the rink or nearby.