Riley Strain.Photo:Christopher Whiteid
Christopher Whiteid
The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) said that it is looking into whether a visiting college student from Missouri was overserved at country music starLuke Bryan’s bar in Nashville prior tohis disappearance a week ago.
TABC communication director Aaron Rummage shared a statement with PEOPLE Friday: “There are no specific rules or statutes that governs escorting out intoxicated patrons from their businesses or providing assistance in getting someone home. However, state law prohibits serving alcoholic beverages to someone who is visibly intoxicated. A violation is a class A misdemeanor. The TABC has opened an investigation into this matter to see if any violations have occurred.”
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Rummage earlier toldNBC Newsabout the case: “We are investigating whether Mr. Strain was served alcohol while he was visibly intoxicated.”
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Christopher Whiteid, Strain’s stepfather, said that his stepson was traveling with his Delta Chi fraternity brothers to Nashville as part of their annual formal.
Riley Strain.Christopher Whiteid
The following morning, Strain’s mother received a call from the fraternity brothers, prompting the missing student’s family members to speak with police and go search for him in Nashville.
“It’s killing us,” Whiteid told PEOPLE. “Because we don’t know what’s going on. We can’t find him.”
Of the whereabouts of Strain’s friends the night when Strain left the restaurant, Whiteid said that, per the fraternity members, “the bouncers wouldn’t let them out with him, that they were trying to get their bill paid.”
In a statement shared with PEOPLE Friday afternoon, the TC Restaurant Group, which oversees Bryan’s establishment, said that it has provided information to help authorities in their investigation of Strain’s disappearance.
“This information included all security camera footage, photos of Riley at our establishment with detailed time stamps, transaction records, and staff accounts,” per the statement. “Additionally, we proactively engaged in communication with the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission and will continue to communicate and provide any records needed to aid their ongoing investigation.”
“During Riley’s visit to Luke’s 32 Bridge, our records show he purchased and was served one alcoholic drink and two waters. At 9:35 p.m., our security team made a decision based on our conduct standards to escort him from the venue through our Broadway exit at the front of our building. He was followed down the stairs with one member of his party. The individual with Riley did not exit and returned upstairs.”
The TC Restaurant Group’s statement concluded: “Our prayers continue to be with Riley’s friends and family during this difficult time and for his safe return.”
Earlier this week,Bryan posted on his Instagram Stories: “TC Restaurant Group, operator, and owner of Luke’s 32 Bridge is continuing to work closely with the Metro Nashville Police Department to provide security camera footage and any other potentially helpful information to aid in the search for Riley Strain. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones for his safe return.”
Bryan also captioned the message: “Y’ALL THIS IS SCARY. PRAYING FOR HIS SAFE RETURN.”
This past Tuesday, Nashville policereleased a surveillance videoof Strain stumbling as he was crossing the street.
“Detectives today continue to pursue tips & investigative leads concerning missing person Riley Strain, 22,” the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department captioned the footage posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“Strain, wearing a 2-tone shirt, is seen in this video crossing 1st Ave N to Gay St (right to left), at 9:47 p.m. Fri. Have info about him? Plz 📞 615-742-7463.”
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department earlier told PEOPLE that the search for Strain is continuing and detectives are “working around the clock with different leads.”
source: people.com
