The co-owner of the famous Atlanta nightclub Republic Lounge was shot dead outside the establishment
The co-owner of the famous Atlanta nightclub Republic Lounge was shot and killed outside his establishment early Saturday morning.
Michael Gidewon, who owned the West Midtown salon with his brother, was identified by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office as the man found dead just before 7 a.m. Saturday, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.
Atlanta police said Area 5 officers responded to the club at 990 Brady Ave. NW around 6:55 a.m. on reports of one person shot. At the scene, officers found Gidewon, 50, unresponsive with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The department’s homicide unit is investigating the shooting. On Saturday, no suspects were in custody and the motive was unknown.
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Michael Gidewon attends the Gold Room on October 20, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Prince Williams/FilmMagic via Getty Images)
When the community learned of the loss, mourners went to the famous nightclub to lay bouquets of flowers.
Records filed with the Georgia Secretary of State’s office showed Gidewon had worked as a nightlife entrepreneur for the past 35 years, Fox 5 reported.
He and his younger brother, Alex, came to America after escaping violence in their home country of East Africa, Eritrea. The brothers started as valets to learn the ins and outs of nightlife and eventually became proficient enough to own their clubs, located a block away from each other.
A Google Earth image shows the famous Republic Lounge nightclub in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Google Earth)
Alex, who now runs AG Entertainment, owned and operated the Compound nightclub – which has been closed for a few years.
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Thanks to Gidewon’s business connections, he became a celebrity in his own right and was often seen mingling with established artists like T.I., Young Jeezy, Usher, Nelly, Jermaine Dupri, Lil Baby and Ludacris. Gidewon has also hosted hundreds of celebrity parties and club appearances which has added to the club’s popularity.
Michael Gidewon, rapper Young Jeezy and Alex Gidewon attend the 10th Anniversary Celebration Dinner with Jeezy and the Street Dreams Foundation at 103 West on July 24, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Prince Williams/WireImage via Getty Images)
The entertainment manager was also involved in the community and participated in various charitable activities, including Thanksgiving dinners.
Gidewon leaves behind his wife, Selam, and four children believed to be in primary school.
Selam Gidewon and Michael Gidewon attend the Gold Room on October 20, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Prince Williams/FilmMagic via Getty Images)
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The Republic Lounge and AG Entertainment have yet to publicly comment on Gidewon’s death.
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