The venue’s two suites received zero-occupancy orders after inspectors found code violations following a shooting that wounded nine people.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Greensboro officials ordered the Royal Banquet Hall closed after a public-safety review found code violations at the site where nine people, including four teenagers, were wounded in a shooting early Sunday.
The city placed Suites 2A and 2B under zero-occupancy orders, preventing the spaces from being used until the identified violations are addressed and officials approve their reopening. The venue’s owner, Van Thanh Ly, also surrendered the business’s alcohol license while officials were at the property Monday.
The closure added an administrative response to the continuing criminal investigation at the banquet hall in the 3800 block of West Gate City Boulevard. Police said several callers reported gunfire inside the venue at about 1:50 a.m. Sunday. The victims included a 15-year-old and three 17-year-olds, and all nine people were expected to recover.
Greensboro police requested the on-site review after the shooting. Assistant Police Chief Ric Alston said the city needed to respond immediately and thanked the public-safety agencies that participated. Officials did not publicly provide a complete list of the code violations or a timetable for possible repairs.
The zero-occupancy designation means the affected suites cannot legally host customers or events while the order remains in place. The city had not announced when another inspection might occur or what specific requirements the operator would have to meet before the spaces could reopen.
The surrender of the alcohol license was separate from the criminal investigation into the gunfire. Officials had not said the venue owner was responsible for the shooting, and police had not released evidence showing that alcohol use contributed to the violence.
Officers had responded to the banquet hall several hours before the shooting after receiving reports of possible underage drinking, an armed person and overcrowding. Police said officers arrived at about 11:15 p.m. Saturday but did not find anyone with a weapon or evidence of underage drinking during that visit.
The later discovery that four teenagers were among those wounded renewed discussion about young people attending late-night events. City Manager Nathaniel “Trey” Davis said city officials would consider possible responses, including discussion of a youth curfew, but no policy had been approved.
Community groups also organized a peace and unity walk in downtown Greensboro following the shooting. The gathering reflected concern about the violence while investigators continued trying to determine who fired the shots and what led to the confrontation.
Two High Point men were arrested near the venue. Carlos Withers, 21, faces charges including going armed to the terror of the people, discharging a firearm within city limits and injury to personal property. Edward Trey Lindsay III, 24, was charged with going armed to the terror of the people. Police had not identified either man as the shooter.
The banquet hall remained closed Tuesday under the zero-occupancy orders. Police said the shooting investigation was active, while city inspectors and other agencies continued handling the safety and licensing issues involving the property.
Author note: Last updated Aug. 4, 2026.