'Clear violation': Mayor's office investigating crowded East Nashville house party

Natalie Neysa Alund
Nashville Tennessean

Hundreds packed into a planned Nashville house party over the weekend amid the coronavirus pandemic and some Metro council members are wondering why nothing was done to stop it.

The party took place Saturday night at a home on Fern Avenue, just north of Douglas Avenue in East Nashville.

Scores of photos and videos of the party — promoted as the unveiling for "The Fashion House" — have flooded social media and show attendees not wearing masks or properly social distancing.

Hundreds attended a house party Saturday night at this home on Fern Avenue, just north of Douglas Avenue in East Nashville, pictured on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2020.

Currently, gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited in Nashville and people are mandated to use face coverings or masks in public settings.

"Hey @NashvilleHealth @MNPDNashville I never did get a response to any of the emails I sent ~30 hours before this event," Sean Parker, District 5 Metro Council member, posted on Twitter.

Parker told The Tennessean he sent emails to a Metro Nashville Police Department East Precinct sergeant and Dr. Michael Caldwell, director of the Metro Public Health Department.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper's office on Monday afternoon announced the party appeared to be in violation of the city's Modified Phase 2 public health order. It also confirmed that The Fashion House is an active LLC operating out of the home's address and said it posted a stop-use order on the property for illegally operating a commercial business in a residential district. 

Police break up party, but no citations

According to its Instagram account, The Fashion House is "a tribute to the high end fashion designers and iconic brands we’ve grown to idolize." 

That Instagram account links to the account of Shi Eubank, vocalist for the band Savage After Midnight. He could not immediately be reached for comment.

Health department spokesman Brian Todd confirmed the department was "made aware of the party."

MNPD spokesman Don Aaron confirmed police responded to the party multiple times Saturday evening into early Sunday but did not cite anyone regarding the coronavirus mask mandate or for hosting a gathering of more than 25 people. He said officers did tow vehicles parked illegally in neighboring driveways.

At the scene, Aaron said, officers observed large groups of people walking in and out of the home where loud music could be heard all the way down to Dickerson Pike.

"There were multiple tents at the front of the home with the label 'High Roller' with dice symbols on either side, security guards near the gated entrance, and promoters out front," Aaron said. "Officers advised the host of the party of the violations that were occurring and advised the host of the party that the party needs to be shut down." 

The host of the party complied and the party was shut down and cleared out by about 1 a.m., Aaron said. As the party was clearing out, there were calls about shots being fired in the general area, requiring officers at the party house to respond.  There were no reports of victims or property damage.

Officers on the detail lit the area up with their blue lights as they waited for the tow trucks and while watching the crowd disperse, Aaron said.

Mayor's office investigating 'clear violation' of public health order

On Monday morning, Chris Song, a spokesman for Cooper's office, said the mayor's office is requesting a review of MNPD's actions.

Later Monday, the mayor's office released an updated statement saying Cooper's office is working with Metro's codes, legal and health departments to investigate the party, "which was in clear violation of Metro’s Modified Phase Two public health order, and those responsible for organizing it."

"Metro Codes has confirmed through the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website that The Fashion House is an active LLC," the statement read. "We have posted a Stop Use Order on this property for illegally operating a commercial business in a residential district. We will continue with our investigation and provide updates as they become available."

Reach Natalie Neysa Alund at nalund@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.