Two dead, two injured in downtown Columbus nightclub shooting
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Police have named the two people who died after a shooting at a nightclub in downtown Columbus on early Friday morning, and are asking for help to identify several possible suspects.
Authorities responded to the shooting at Aura, formerly known as Avalon nightclub, in the 200 block of North Fifth at about 1:45 a.m. on Friday, according to the Columbus Division of Police. Officers arrived and found four victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
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Desmond Taylor, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:58 a.m., police said. Ceilin Richard Peakes Smith, 36, 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 survive their injuries.
Investigators are asking for assistance to determine the identifies of the persons of interest related to the incident, who can be seen in the snapshots below taken from surveillance footage.
Investigators are asking for assistance to determine the identifies of these persons of interest. (Courtesy Photo/Columbus Division of Police) Investigators are asking for assistance to determine the identifies of these persons of interest. (Courtesy Photo/Columbus Division of Police)
“Going into what should be a great weekend with a lot of really positive events, at least two families related to this incident are now suffering heartbreak,” said Greg Bodker, Columbus assistant chief of police.
A large police presence continued to investigate throughout the morning, with homicide detectives on site and crime scene tape blocking off a large portion of the property. Traffic cones were placed along the front of the club to mark evidence.
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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 incident 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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