1 Killed, More Than A Dozen Shot At Cincinnati Nightclub, Authorities Say
CINCINNATI (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Gunfire erupted early Sunday inside a crowded Cincinnati nightclub after a dispute broke out among several men, killing one man and injuring 15 other people, authorities said.
No suspect was in custody by the afternoon and police did not think the shooting at the Cameo club was terrorism-related. They said the nightclub has a history of gun violence.
Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac said one of the wounded was in "extremely critical condition." A hospital spokeswoman said two victims were listed in critical condition, but she had no other details.
Isaac identified the deceased as 27-year-old O'Bryan Spikes and said 15 others were injured, with some already treated and released from hospitals.
Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac says initial investigation indicates that several Cincinnati area males were in a dispute, leading to the gunfire. Several people were involved.
Police began receiving calls at 1:30 a.m. about gunshots at the club near the Ohio River east of downtown Cincinnati. Isaac said some 200 people were inside the club for music and dancing.
"What we know at this point in the investigation is that several local men got into some type of dispute inside the bar, and it escalated into shots being fired from several individuals," Isaac said. It wasn't clear how many people fired shots.
Sixteen people were shot. Some of them drove themselves to area hospitals and others were taken by ambulance.
Among the injured, five were treated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and released, hospital spokeswoman Kelly Martin said. She said two people were in critical condition and another two were listed in stable condition. She had no details on the types of injuries or the ages of the victims. The other people injured at the club were taken or drove themselves to other hospitals.
City Manager Harry Black called the event "horrific."
Eliot said the club has its own internal security that uses detection wands and pat-downs, but that police believe several firearms got inside. Police said four officers were working security in the club's parking lot and some tried unsuccessfully to revive the man who died.
Cameo's Facebook profile said it caters to college students on Friday nights, when anyone over 18 is allowed in, while Saturdays are "grown and sexy night" for ages 21 and older.
The club has a history of gun violence, including a shooting inside the club on New Year's Day in 2015 and one in the parking lot that September, Black said.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward. Williams said investigators are checking to see if surveillance cameras were working.
"Obviously we are all deeply saddened by this tragedy," Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said.
Cranley said that though this shooting was not an act of terrorism, those that were at the club were still "terrorized by gun violence."
"This is a country where you should be able to go out and have a good time and not be in fear of getting shot," Cranley said.
Ohio's governor says he has instructed his administration to offer any assistance the state can provide in the aftermath of the Cincinnati nightclub shooting. Gov. John Kasich says he is saddened and offers prayers for the victims and families of all involved.
"Saddened to learn about last night's shooting in Cincinnati," Kasich tweeted. "Our prayers are with the victims and families of all those involved."
Saddened to learn about last night's shooting in Cincinnati. Our prayers are with the victims and families of all of those involved. (1/2)
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) March 26, 2017
I've instructed our administration to offer any assistance the state can provide. (2/2)
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) March 26, 2017
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, of Cincinnati, says his office is ready to help any way it can. He says he and his wife Jane extend their thoughts and prayers to those involved.
Officials say the Cameo club has been the scene of gun violence before, including a shooting inside the club on New Year's Day in 2015 and in the parking lost in September that same year.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)