Man named suspect in fatal double shooting at downtown Columbus nightclub

Orri Benatar and David Rees

7 minutes ago

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A 26-year-old man is wanted on two counts of murder in connection with a fatal shooting at a downtown Columbus nightclub Friday morning.

Columbus police said Saturday morning that an arrest warrant had been issued for Jaquez Hoover, named as a suspect in the deaths of Desmond Taylor, 27, and Ceilin Richard Peakes Smith, 36, in Aura, formerly known under the name Avalon Nightclub, in the 200 block of North Fifth around 1:45 a.m. Friday.

Hoover is on the run and police are asking anyone with information to call 614-645-4730.

When police arrived at the scene of the shooting, four victims were found with gunshot wounds. Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:58 a.m., police said. Peakes Smith was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead at 2:45 a.m.

Two other adult victims were transported to local hospitals and are expected to recover from their injuries. Authorities said the incident stemmed from an altercation outside the club that resulted in gunfire. Police noted there were a lot of patrons at the club when the shooting occurred, and detectives are counting on witnesses for answers.

The shooting happened just minutes after police were called to another shooting in southeast Columbus. Officers went to a gas station around 1:40 a.m. Friday. One person was transported to a local hospital where they were later pronounced dead.