WINSTON-SALEM -- As 2007 comes to a close, those involved in the February brawl in Winston-Salem that claimed the life Sgt. Howard Plouff are still waiting to learn their fate.

A fight broke out around 2 a.m. Feb. 23 at the Red Rooster nightclub, reportedly when gang signs were flashed during a rap song.

"It was several fights within the club, and then it went outside, and then all I know is I heard gunshots,” said club attendee Shawn Rhoden.

Plouff, 41, was among those responding to the scene. He died several hours later, after being shot in the face. He left behind a wife and two young daughters.

The mayor declared 17 days of mourning in honor of Plouff’s years of service, and officers from all over the state came to his funeral.

Eight handguns were seized at the scene of the shooting, and the evening of Plouff’s funeral, police announced an arrest in the case: Keith Antoine Carter, a student as Winston-Salem State.

A bouncer at the club, Joseph Samuel Hensley, is also facing charges for firing a gun into the air in an attempt to break up the fight.

The city has started a series of meetings and hearings to look into an ordinance to regulate night clubs. It is still under consideration.

The city filed lawsuits against the club, alleging it’s a public nuisance and should be shut down. Right after the shooting, the club had its alcohol permits pulled, then restored. It continues operating, and the owner has changed its name.

Carter remains in the Forsyth County jail without bond. His attorneys hope to have a hearing in the first of January to move his case along.