Columbus deputy police chiefs discuss measures to reduce gun violence
Columbus deputy police chiefs say cooperation and communication are key to reducing gun violence
U.S. Marshals have arrested a Columbus man wanted in connection with a fatal shooting at a downtown nightclub that left two people dead in June.
A U.S. Marshals Service task force arrested Jaquez Hoover, 26, on two counts of murder Thursday morning in connection with a fatal shooting at the Aura nightclub in downtown Columbus, a news release said. Columbus police initially identified Hoover as a suspect.
The Marshals' Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) located and arrested Hoover in the 4000 block of Glengate Drive in Columbus, the press release said.
The fatal shooting at Aura nightclub, also called Avalon and formerly known as Aurora Dance Club, occurred on June 14. The shooting began after a patron with a gun attempted to enter the bar and exchanged gunfire with the club's security staff, The Dispatch previously reported.
Desmond Taylor, 27, and Ceilin Smith, 36, succumbed to their injuries, The Dispatch previously reported.
Earlier this month, the Columbus District Attorney's Office filed a motion to shut down the club, saying the owners had violated previous court orders, The Dispatch previously reported. Since Jan. 1, there have been at least six reports of assaults, fights or shootings at the club, including the June 14 shooting in which Jaquez is the suspect.
Columbus Police have been called to the club 78 times since January 2023, resulting in nearly 30 police reports, including fights and several reports of guns being stolen from vehicles.
As The Dispatch previously reported, prosecutors had taken steps in Franklin County District Court to hold the owners of the club and property accountable, including obtaining court orders requiring the dispatch of special police officers to the club's parking lot during operations and the presence of properly licensed security personnel on site.
The Columbus City Attorney's Office stated in the court filing that the club's security guards, including the owner of the security company, had licenses required by the Ohio Revised Code on the night of the shooting.
The city attorney's office also said attempts have been made since June 14 to inspect the club for compliance with state regulations for businesses with liquor licenses, but those inspections have not been permitted.
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