A Mexican restaurant in Brooklyn has had its liquor license revoked by the State Liquor Authority following years of numerous incidents.
The revocation order of Catrina’s Mexican Grill was announced by State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Councilman Justin Brannan just over a year after a tragedy that occurred right in front of the local establishment.
Back in January of last year, a massive fight broke out outside of Catrina’s Mexican Grill, resulting in the stabbing death of 22-year-old Anthony D’Onofrio. 19-year-old Kevin Cuatlacuatl would later be charged with murder.
A petition was started by a friend of the victim, calling for action to be taken by officials and law enforcement against the restaurant, with the signature total reaching over 4,000.
Councilman Brannan says that last year’s fatal brawl was one of many recorded incidents to occur at Catrina’s Mexican Grill as a result of documented reckless behavior from the establishment, and that he applauds the State Liquor Authority for taking action.
“I thank the State Liquor Authority for listening to the community and revoking the liquor license for this establishment. Time and time again, Catrina’s has been called out for dangerous conditions at their restaurant, and each time they have betrayed our community’s trust by failing to address them,” said Councilman Brannan.
“Our young neighbor Anthony D’Onofrio should still be alive today, and would be if Catrina’s had taken our community’s concerns seriously. Nothing we do now can bring Anthony back, but I am grateful the state is cracking down to make sure what happened to Anthony never happens at Catrina’s again. We need businesses that value and respect the community and are good neighbors. To everyone else we say good riddance!”
State Senator Gounardes adds that the shuttering of Catrina’s is a positive step in the right direction.
“After a year of working with the Councilman Brannan, Community Board 10 and the State Liquor Authority, we finally have the resolution that the community and the family wanted. Businesses that act with such wanton disregard have no place in our neighborhood. It’s a shame that it took such a loss, but our community is better off now that they do not have their license,” said State Senator Gounardes.
