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16 shot, 1 dead in Cincinnati, Ohio nightclub shooting

Brawl led to shootings, police said
Posted at 4:51 AM, Mar 26, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-26 11:58:03-04

One person was killed and 15 others were injured in a shooting inside a Cincinnati nightclub early Sunday. Police said there's no indication the crime is an act of terror.

No suspect has been named or arrested. 

The person who died is a 27-year-old man named Obryan Spikes. His family was notified.

The Cincinnati Police Department Homicide Unit was called to Cameo Night Club, a large, warehouse-style venue on Kellogg Avenue near the Ohio River, at about 2:20 a.m.

Mauricio Thompson said a "mini brawl" broke out inside.

"Within that mini brawl, maybe like 20 shots been fired -- people running, dodging, trying to get out of the way," he said.

"Once I got outside, people coming out bloody, gunshot wounds on them, some of their friends carrying them to the car, rushing them to the hospital. It was just crazy."

The shooting likely was the culmination of a dispute that began earlier Saturday, city spokesman Rocky Merz said. Cameo has a history of problems with gun violence, he said.

Police don't have a description of the suspect, and Capt. Kimberly Williams said they were having trouble getting witnesses to cooperate.

"If anyone was a witness to anything that happened, obviously we need you to come forward with any information that you have, with anything that can help us identify the suspect involved in this incident," Williams said.

Initially, Williams indicated there may be more than one shooter, but Lt. Col. Paul Neudigate said it appears, for now, that one person was responsible.

Federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also were at the scene Sunday morning. Police focused attention on a white car at the scene; it was placed on a tow truck at about 6:30 a.m.

According to Merz, Cameo has a history of gun violence, including a shooting inside on New Year's Day 2015 and another in the parking lot that September. Williams said there have been "multiple problems" in the past.

"I do believe it was a very large crowd earlier this evening when it started," Williams said. "But just a lot of chaos, obviously, when the shots went off -- people just trying to get out of the way, get out of harm's way."

According to ABC News, Sgt. Eric Franz described the situation a “large and complicated homicide scene.”

"There was a shooting here this morning around one o'clock in the morning," Franz said. "We have 14 people that have been injured from gunfire, one of which is deceased."

Eight of the victims were taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center; one victim was in critical condition, three were in serious condition, and four were stable.

Two were taken to The Christ Hospital; both had minor injuries and were in stable condition. Franz said other victims were taken to Bethesda North Hospital, Mercy West Hospital and Anderson Mercy Hospital.

Franz said Cameo hires police officers for extra security, CNN reports. Two officers were stationed at the club's entrance and another two in the parking lot, Franz said.

Gov. John Kasich tweeted he was saddened to learn about the shooting and offered prayers to the victims and their families.

"I've instructed our administration to offer any assistance the state can provide," Kasich wrote.

Cameo Night Club describes itself on its Facebook page as providing entertainment and excitement to the Tri-State. The Facebook page says the club is restricted to people 21 and up on Saturday nights and is open until 4 a.m. Sunday. It was previously called Club Cameo, and before that, a gay club called Adonis.

Before it became a nightclub venue, the large building housed Michael G's restaurant. It is located in Cincinnati's East End neighborhood, not far from Lunken Airport.