Western Carolina University football player Toren Gerard Gordon has been charged with the murder of an Asheville man after a shooting in the parking lot of a Maggie Valley nightclub Friday morning.

Gordon was arrested in Gaston County and brought back to Haywood County to face charges following the death of Corey Jermon Matthews, 29, of Asheville.

The manager of a Maggie Valley nightclub said the business will fight efforts by District Attorney Charles Hipps to shut its doors.

“We think it’s unfair, and we will definitely fight it,” said Thunder Ridge Manager Danny Lankford.

Hipps said the murder last week has convinced him of the need to close the club. The case will probably lead to a jury trial in early 2002.

Hipps has appointed a member of the district attorney’s staff to begin gathering records of altercations, arrests and other incidents that are a result of Thunder Ridge. He said information will be gathered from the Maggie Valley Police Department, the state Highway Patrol, the Haywood County Sheriff’s Department and the State Bureau of Investigation.

“We will file a petition for abatement of nuisance, which will likely lead to a jury trial in Superior Court,” said Hipps.

Hipps said problems at the nightclub have intensified in the last three years. Its popular Thursday “College Night” draws as many as 1,000 to Maggie Valley from Asheville, Cherokee, Cullowhee and all parts of Haywood County, said Hipps. Although the nightclub might help some area businesses, it saps the resources of local law enforcement to police it, he said.

“It has turned into a horror story for law enforcement,” said Hipps.

Lankford said the death from the Dec. 7 shooting was tragic and unfortunate, but similar shootings have occurred elsewhere.

Hipps, however, said he will proceed with the task of closing the bar.

“I have a duty to put our evidence before a jury of Haywood County people and let them decide,” said Hipps.

 

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