RICHMOND, Va. -- One year after his business became part of a downtown Richmond crime scene, the owner of 4 Cyber Café reflected on how his Broad Street business managed to survive the stigma that came with the shooting on July 4, 2022.
Mario Mohan said his business's future was in question because there were misconceptions the shooting happened at his café and music venue.
“A lot of backlash was received, but we withstood it. We are still here now, and we weathered the storm,” Mohan said.
While he said the shooting happened four doors down from his business, police had to make his business part of the crime scene because the suspect ran onto his property.
Mohan remembered feeling appalled and upset whenhe learned six people were shot near his businesses.
However, he still questions why his businesses took the brunt of the negative publicity.
“I didn’t understand what was taking place down the street. I didn’t understand why it was taking place and why did I take the brunt of that pain,” he said.
He said the association with the shooting could have shut the cafe's doors. However, he fought for his business because he believes every major city needs spaces for music and art.
Music is not a divider, but rather brings people together, according to Mohan.
He and his team spent the last year making changes to the café to help bring the business back.
They have new leadership and staff, an expanded food menu, and new procedures for security.
“Now if we do some event that needs some security, it’s not security with the bulletproof vests and rifles and handguns, but someone that could protect inside because anything could happen,” Mohan said.
A year later, Mohan said felt his business is built better than ever, and he hopes the stigma from last year’s shooting will stop.
He hopes people will come to see the improvements for themselves.
“Hearsay is fools gold. We're here and we're here for the long haul,” Mohan said.
CBS 6 reached out to Richmond Police for an update on the shooting after hours and will update the public when we learn more.
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