Fight Erupts At MYXX, Officer Struck By Car

A car struck a police officer and someone knocked out a man during a disturbance outside of  after 2 a.m. June 17 that police called a melee.

A lieutenant patrolling the area called in a fight outside of the business, and residents reported they heard gun shots, although police did not find any evidence to support that.

About 300 people exited the bar and dispersed in all directions, blocking the entire intersection of Cedar and Fairmount, police said

A police officer trying to clear the area was hit by a car after she had asked the driver to stop. She was taken to the hospital for bruises but suffered no serious injuries, police said.

One man was punched in the head in the middle of Cedar Road and knocked out. He also was taken to the hospital.

The event that evening was promoted on Twitter with the tag RIPClevelandHts, a police report said. A flier publicizing the event indicated admission for women was free all night, drinks specials were available and that the event was to celebrate C.P.'s birthday.

"The city not ready!! #RIPCLEVELANDHTS!! This Saturday," wrote @MR_CPIV on Twitter.

Charles Payne, a Cleveland Heights resident who organized the event, said at least 600 people were at MYXX earlier that evening. He said despite the crowd's size, the night was calm until the end.

"Honestly it was no problem on Saturday. Everybody was calm, everybody was collected. There were no fights the whole night. No arguments or anything," Payne said, noting that he uses RIP to indicate it's going to be a big party.

He said his business, Empire Street Smart Productions, used to have events Tuesday nights at , but the hookah bar banned their parties.

City & East could not be reached for comment. Police Chief Jeffrey Robertson said he didn't believe Payne had hosted a party during the on a Tuesday night.

"Our crowd be so crazy they couldn’t handle it. They just said we couldn’t do it there anymore, and we went to MYXX and we just shut down MYXX," Payne said. "This is one of the best cities in Cleveland to come to. I’m trying to help the city by bringing people to Cleveland Heights."

Payne said he hadn't heard all of the details about the problems that night.

"We were so confused about why, when we walked out of the party, there were so many police cars outside. Six police cars, right there. That brings a bad look to the party," he said. "We're not down in the hood pulling out guns, robbing people, shooting people, we’re just trying to have a good time and party and make a little money at the end of night."