A body is removed as police operate at a crime scene outside the Cameo club after a fatal shooting, Sunday, March 26, 2017, in Cincinnati. (Photo: Associated Press)
Authorities in Cincinnati are investigating a shooting at a nightclub early Sunday morning that left 16 people wounded and one dead.
The shooting happened at about 1:30 a.m. at the Cameo nightclub and was the result of some type of dispute between local residents that escalated into gunfire coming from multiple suspects, Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac said in a press conference Sunday.
Isaac also noted that the club was “very crowded” with a “couple hundred people” inside when the shooting occurred. Initial reports put the total number wounded by gunfire at 15, but Isaac on Monday confirmed to the Cincinnati City Council that 16 had been injured, WCPO reported.
The deceased victim was identified as Obryan Spikes, 27, a father and a community college student who frequented the club. Two victims remain in critical condition, while three were upgraded to stable condition, and the remaining victims were treated and released.
No arrests have been made at this point and the suspects have not yet been identified.
One club-goer told reporters he heard a DJ call for security about 10 minutes before the shooting occurred, although it’s unclear if the two are related. Currently, investigators are reviewing surveillance video from inside the club, which they hope will give more insight into what exactly unfolded. Authorities are also working to determine how the suspects got their guns into the club, as metal detectors are used at the entrance.
Dan Hils, president of Cincinnati’s Fraternal Order of Police, said the situation could have easily been much worse if the officers weren’t so close when the shooting started. Assistant Police Chief Paul Neudigate said the shooting was one of the largest he’s seen in his nearly 30 years with the department.
Cincinnati Councilwoman Yvette Simpson condemned the shooting, saying violence is not the way to settle a dispute, but didn’t go as far to demonize guns.
“There’s no reason that anyone should ever feel like they could go into a club, shoot a club up, because they’re upset with someone who disrespected them or otherwise hurt them earlier in the day,” Simpson said. “So I continue to say, yes, guns kill people, but people kill people.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (513) 352-3040. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting the Cincinnati Police Department with the investigation, and a local restaurateur is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible.
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