By Anton K. Nilsson

Police are still investigating what sparked a Sunday morning melee outside a Fordham nightclub that stretched several blocks, resulting in one person fatally shot, with another five sent to the hospital.

The deceased, 24-year-old Dennis Rodriguez of Mott Haven, was shot in the torso as he exited the Xtreme Lounge at 2510 Valentine Ave. in Fordham around 3:50 am. Two others were also shot, one of whom was hit in the head and is listed in critical condition at St. Barnabas Hospital. Two victims were slashed, and one victim was assaulted with a baseball bat, taking hits to the head and torso.

The nightclub has been a nuisance for some time, local residents say. One man, who works in the building opposite the Xtreme Lounge and refused to be identified by name, told the Norwood News that there has been “a lot of problems” at the club, and that “crazy people” from Manhattan regularly show up on weekend nights to cause trouble. “People are tired of it,” the man said.

Another local resident, who likewise declined to give a name, said she was sorry to hear the news about the deadly incident. “There is a lot of violence in this neighborhood,” the woman said sadly as she enjoyed the sunshine on a bench in nearby Poe Park. “A lot of violence. Lord have mercy.”

No arrests have been made.