Man shot at Golden Banana

PEABODY – Less than two months after re-opening its doors, trouble has once again taken the stage at the Golden Banana.At approximately 12:45 a.m. Wednesday morning, 35-year-old Christopher M. Desimone of Chelsea was shot in his shoulder outside of the Peabody strip club.According to a released statement by Police Lt. Dennis Bonaiuto, the victim was sitting in the backseat of an acquaintance’s car in the parking lot of the Newbury Street location when the suspect shot him.While police were responding to the scene, friends drove the victim in their white suburban to the nearby Lahey Clinic.The victim’s injury was not life-threatening and he is expected to recover, said Bonaiuto.This was the first violent situation at the Golden Banana since new owners revamped and re-opened the decades old strip club. In 2003, the city forced the establishment to close its doors due to various safety code violations.Representatives from the Golden Banana declined to comment on the shooting, but did say that business will continue to be open as usual.Bonaiuto said the department would be speaking with several witnesses Wednesday night, and believe there’s a possibility the victim and gunman knew one another. He also said that there’s a chance the incident stems from a pre-existing situation.The incident will remain under investigation by both the Peabody Police Department and members of the Massachusetts State Police.Anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to contact Peabody Police Detectives at 978-538-6364.