Man named as suspect in double fatal shooting at downtown Columbus nightclub
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A 26-year-old man is wanted on two counts of murder in connection to a fatal shooting at a downtown Columbus nightclub Friday morning.
Columbus police on Saturday morning said a warrant is out for the arrest of Jaquez Hoover, who was named as the suspect in the deaths of Desmond Taylor, 27, and Ceilin Richard Peakes Smith, 36, at Aura, formerly known as Avalon nightclub, in the 200 block of North Fifth at about 1:45 a.m. on Friday.
Hoover is at large and police ask anyone with information to call 614-645-4730.
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When officers arrived at the scene of the shooting, four victims were found suffering from gunshot wounds. Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:58 a.m., police said. Peakes Smith was transported to a local hospital then pronounced dead at 2:45 a.m.
Two additional adult victims were transported to local hospitals and are expected to recover from their injuries. Authorities said the incident sprang from an altercation outside the club, leading to shots fired. Police noted there were a lot of patrons at the club when the shooting occurred, and detectives are relying on witnesses to get answers.
The shooting occurred just minutes after police were called to another shooting in southeast Columbus. Officers responded to a gas station at about 1:40 a.m. on Friday. One person was transported to a local hospital where they later were pronounced dead.
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