ALE Provides Update in Club Orion Shooting Investigation

The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) is providing an update into the ongoing joint ALE and Greensboro Police Department (GPD) investigation regarding the fatal gang-related shooting that occurred at Club Orion (Club O) in the early hours of September 20, 2026. 

On Sept. 20, an altercation occurred inside Club O involving Marvin Allen Watlington and another patron. Watlington and the patron exited the building, continuing the altercation before engaging in a gunfight just outside of the building. Watlington died at the scene from his injuries. 

ALE Special Agents were notified of the shooting by GPD and arrived on scene shortly after the incident occurred. They immediately began working with GPD officers to identify what led to the shooting, as well as who is responsible. 

This is the second time this year that ALE agents have investigated a shooting at Club O. Agents previously investigated the establishment after a shooting inside Club O occurred on April 5, 2026, that left one person injured after security failed to properly screen patrons.

ALE agents conducted interviews, reviewed crime scene evidence collected by GPD and video footage from the establishment and surrounding businesses. Special agents determined that all individuals who were involved in the shooting were patrons of Club O and the security that was hired and staffed by Club O’s owner did not properly screen patrons for weapons. The security guards allowed the individuals involved in the incident into the establishment with firearms that were later used in the gang-involved shooting. 

The night prior to the shooting, Watlington was involved in a physical altercation inside Club O where security and employees did not intervene and allowed the physical altercation to continue. 

During the investigation ALE and GPD found evidence of rampant illicit drug use occurring inside the establishment on the night of Sept. 20. It was determined that if more security was present the night of the shooting, they could have kept patrons and employees inside Club O, reducing the risk of others from being injured. While speaking to law enforcement, employees stated that they fear for their safety while working at Club O. 

“This is another powerful example of our strong partnership with ALE and shared duty to immediately address the people and places that cause and contribute to harm in our community,” said Greensboro Chief of Police Kamran Afzal.

After reviewing the initial investigative findings, ALE agents recommended and requested that the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABC Commission) summarily suspend the ABC permits for Club O. The ABC Commission reviewed ALE’s initial findings and summarily suspended the ABC permits for Club O, effective immediately. 

“This investigation provided clear evidence of ongoing risks to public safety associated with Club Orion,” said Bryan House, Director of North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement. “The immediate suspension of the ABC permits at this location will help address those risks and hopefully contribute to greater safety in the surrounding community. I appreciate the professionalism and dedication of the men and women of the Greensboro Police Department in their investigative efforts and their assistance to ALE throughout this investigation.”

As a result of the ongoing investigation, ALE has charged Club O’s owner and several of the establishment’s employees. 

Brittany Morton, 37, of Liberty

• Allow Unlawful Conduct to Occur on Licensed Premises
• Allow Unlawful Consumption of Controlled Substances to Occur on Licensed Premises 

Joshua Gore, 38, of Greensboro 

• Carrying a Concealed Weapon 
• Allow Unlawful Conduct to Occur on Licensed Premises – 3 counts
• Allow Unlawful Consumption of Controlled Substances to Occur on Licensed Premises

Stephen Jones, 62, of Greensboro – Permittee/Owner

• Felony Maintain a Business for Controlled Substances 
• Failure to Superintend – 3 counts
• Allow Unlawful Conduct to Occur on Licensed Premises – 3 counts
• Allow Unlawful Consumption of Controlled Substances to Occur on Licensed Premises 

Daniel Ellenbogen, 49, of Greensboro

• Allow Unlawful Conduct to Occur on Licensed Premises – 2 counts
• Allow Unlawful Consumption of Controlled Substances to Occur on Licensed Premises

Damarqus Washington, 32, of Winston-Salem

• Allow Unlawful Conduct to Occur on Licensed Premises – 2 counts
• Allow Unlawful Consumption of Controlled Substances to Occur on Licensed Premises

This remains an active investigation. More information will be released as it becomes publicly available. 

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