One killed, 14 injured in Cincinnati nightclub shooting, police say

Police: No reason to suspect terrorism

CINCINNATI (CNN) – One person was killed and 14 injured in a shooting at a crowded hip-hop nightclub about 1 a.m. Sunday in Cincinnati.

Police identified the man killed as O'Bryan Spikes, 27.

Police said the shooting stemmed from a dispute that had occurred earlier that day, according to CNN affiliate WLWT.

"The conflict is believed to have begun between specific groups or individuals earlier in the day, escalating and ultimately leading to this tragedy occurring at the nightclub," Cincinnati City Manager Harry Black said.

Several victims are undergoing surgery, Cincinnati Police Sgt. Eric Franz told CNN. Police do not have any suspects in custody but are interviewing witnesses.

Cincinnati Assistant Police Chief Paul Neudigate said there was "only one reported shooter."

He said there is no reason to suspect terrorism, he said.

'A lot of chaos'

Cameo Night Club, in the city's East End area, hires police officers for extra security. Two officers were stationed at the club's entrance and another two in the parking lot, Franz said.

Shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday, someone heard the club's DJ call for security, then shots rang out, CNN affiliate WLWT reported.

"It was just a lot of chaos, obviously, when the shots went off," Cincinnati Police Department Capt. Kimberly Williams said. "People (were) just trying to get out of harm's way."

 

Witnesses and injuries

Neudigate told the affiliate that several victims have life-threatening injuries.

"We are in the middle of a very horrific situation that occurred at the nightclub with multiple victims," Neudigate said. "It's going to be a long night for our homicide units to investigate."

Neudigate described it as a "chaotic crime scene" and said they are looking for witnesses, many of whom took off when the shooting started.

"Many of the witnesses fled, but everyone that we can identify is being interviewed," he said.
Some of the injured drove themselves to area hospitals, police said.

Some of the injured drove themselves to area hospitals, police said.

One patient was treated for a gunshot wound and released from Anderson Hospital, said Nanette Bentley, hospital spokeswoman. Another person walked into West Hospital with a non-gunshot injury and was treated and released, Bentley said.

A hospital spokeswoman said eight among those injured in the Cincinnati nightclub shooting are being treated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Hospital spokeswoman Kelly Martin says one person is in critical condition at the Medical Center, three others are in serious condition, and four are listed as stable.

She had no details on the types of injuries or the ages of the victims.

Club has had "challenges in the past'

The Cameo nightclub allows admission to anyone over the age of 18 on Friday nights. Saturday nights are 21 and above and promoted as "grown and sexy" night.

Cameo has a history of violent incidents, WLWT reported.

"We are aware of it. It (the club) has had some challenges in the past," Neudigate said.

Multiple assaults were reported at Cameo from 2014 to 2016, affiliate WXIX reported.

The club on Kellogg Avenue is neighbors with other businesses, including a scrapyard and several other clubs, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

Worst US mass shooting so far this year

The incident is the worst mass shooting (for total number of victims) so far in 2017, according to Gunviolencearchive.com. There have been 71 in the US this year.

In Cincinnati alone, there have been at least nine since 2013. The most recent was Feb. 28, when six people were shot at an apartment building in Northside.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is helping Cincinnati police with this investigation.

"Saddened to learn about last night's shooting in Cincinnati," Ohio Gov. John Kasich tweeted. "Our prayers are with the victims and families of all of those involved.

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

This is a developing story. Stay with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for updates.

CNN and the Associated Press contributed to this story.


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