COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Division of Police says the two men who were fatally shot at a nightclub in downtown Columbus were working security at the time. The men were identified Friday as 27-year-old Desmond Taylor and 36-year-old Ceilin Smith.
Police responded to the shooting at Avalon on North 5th Street around 1:45 a.m. after they received multiple calls about shots being fired. Officers arrived and found that four people were shot.
Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:58 a.m. Smith was taken to Grant Medical Center in critical condition and later died at 2:45 a.m.
Assistant Chief of Police Greg Bodker said a third shooting victim was taken to Grant Medical Center in critical condition and their condition has since improved. A fourth shooting victim was taken to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center for treatment. Police said they're both expected to survive their injuries.
Bodker said preliminary indications led detectives to believe that the shooting stemmed from an altercation inside the nightclub.
Police say warrants were filed against 26-year-old Jaquez Hoover based on information obtained following the release of surveillance video. Hoover is charged with two counts of murder and remains at large.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477).
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