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Arrest made in LAX shooting

Friday, November 12, 2010
(Updated 2:06 pm)

— Police have arrested a Greensboro man in connection with a shooting outside the LAX Gentleman’s Club that left a man hospitalized in critical condition.

Leroy Starr Copney Jr., 37, of 801 Moultrie Ct. Apt. D, has been charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder in connection with the shooting of 23-year-old Demettere Myja Fox early Sunday, according to arrest warrants. Copney is being held in the Guilford County jail on a bond of $1 million.

Police said around 2 a.m. Sunday, two parties got into a fight inside the club at 2216 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Security in the club then moved both parties outside.

Copney is then accused of going to his vehicle, grabbing a pistol, and shooting Fox in the back and hand. Friends drove Fox to Moses Cone Hospital, prompting a police response to the club to investigate the incident.

Police said the club should have ensured one of the two parties fighting in the club left the parking lot before allowing the second to leave.

The club is part-owned by Rocco Scarfone, whose establishments have recently come under scrutiny.

In addition to the LAX shooting, Scarfone has been criticized because of the Oct. 28 mass shooting downtown that stemmed from arguments in the N Club, which is also owned by Scarfone.

Police have said better security measures could have prevented both incidents.

On Monday, Scarfone said he has increased security at LAX, to include allowing security to search vehicles before allowing drivers to park in their lot.

The N Club has closed and will reopen Nov. 27 as Allure Nightlife, which Scarfone said will have increased security measures.

In addition to the attempted murder charge, Copney faces one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

Arrest warrants state Copney was convicted of a charge of “murder depraved indifference” in King County, N.Y. in March 1998 and served five years in prison. Details regarding that incident were not immediately available.

It was not immediately clear whether Fox remains hospitalized.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

Photo Caption: Leroy Starr Copney Jr.

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