1 Dead, Several Injured In Cincinnati Nightclub Shooting
CINCINNATI (AP) — Gunfire erupted early Sunday inside a crowded nightclub with a history of violence, killing one person and wounding more than a dozen others, authorities said.
No suspect is in custody, but there is no indication the shooting at the Cameo club was terrorism related, officials said.
Assistant Police Chief Paul Neudigate said in a tweet that there was only one reported shooter but that police were investigating whether others were involved. Police had earlier said "at least a couple of shooters" were involved.
Authorities believe a conflict began earlier in the day that led to the shooting, city manager Harry Black said in a news release. Authorities were interviewing witnesses and planned a news conference later in the morning.
Fifteen people were shot, police said. Some drove themselves to hospitals, and others were taken by ambulance.
Cameo 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.
A phone call to the club Sunday morning by The Associated Press went unanswered.
Capt. Kim Williams said there was "just a lot of chaos, obviously, when shots were fired."
"Saturday night, it is a very young crowd. We have had incidents here in the past, but this is by far the worst," she said.
Several officers were working security at the club; some performed first aid and tried to revive the person who died, police said.
A single body was removed by the coroner shortly after 6 a.m. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was also at the scene.
Among the injured, eight were being treated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Kelly Martin said. One person there was in critical condition. She had no details on the types of injuries or the ages of the victims.
Authorities asked anyone with information to come forward. Investigators were checking to see if surveillance cameras were working, Williams said.
The area is mostly industrial but also home to several nightclubs with a smattering of homes. A regional airport is nearby along the Ohio River. The area is fairly desolate at night, with the exception of the nightlife scene and 24-hour gas stations. The road where the club sits was easily cordoned off by a single police cruiser and officer at either end.
First responders had problems reaching the shooting victims because the parking lots were full, Sgt. Eric Franz told the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich said on Twitter that he was "saddened to learn about last night's shooting" and that he was offering the state's assistance.
Cameo's Facebook profile says 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.
(© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
