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2026 has been a tough year for King Babas, an American restaurant on Old Hickory Boulevard.

The first incident was a shooting in January.  Schuyler Taylor was shot in the parking lot of King Babas, then transported to Jackson General, where he succumbed to his injuries.  Recently, the Jackson Police Department arrested Gary McNeal II in connection with Taylor’s death.

The second incident was a fight in the parking lot of King Babas on March 8th.  A video shared by Dre McNeal on Facebook seems to show a woman being pinned between 2 cars.  The JPD has arrested at least one person in connection with the aggravated assault.

Seemingly because of these two events, the owners of King Babas shared in a Facebook post that they will be closing their business next week after six years of business.  According to the owners, this is due to “numerous senseless actions by others, as we prioritize safety above financial considerations.”  The comment section under the post shows an outpouring of support and prayers for success from fans of the restaurant.

Some in Jackson are sad to see the restaurant close, but are hopeful that the owners can find a way to keep serving the city.