City seeks to shutter downtown Columbus night club

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COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) – A Columbus nightclub that was the scene of a double murder could have its doors shuttered for good.

According to the Columbus City Attorney’s Office, the Property Action Team has filed a motion of contempt to seek the closure of the Downtown night club, the Avalon Club. The city alleged that the club is subject to multiple violations of court orders, including an order to employ properly licensed security guards.

The City Attorney’s Office said that the club has been the subject of 28 calls to Columbus police regarding numerous fights and two shootings.

Most notably, the club was the location of a double murder police responded to a shooting on June 14. Four victims were found suffering from gunshot wounds, including two, Desmond Taylor, 27, and Ceilin Richard Peaks Smith, 36, who were pronounced dead. At that time security staff, employed through Reign Security, were not properly licensed under the Ohio Revised Code.

Two days prior officers responded to a fight that took place in the parking lot. A woman sustained injuries to her head, chest and rib area after two individuals assaulted her.

On June 2, patrons reportedly fired shots at a responding officer in the parking lot. And earlier in the year police responded to multiple shots fired, in which six shell casings were recovered, and an assault by a bouncer, who allegedly gave a customer a concussion.

Other incidents include numerous firearms stolen out of a vehicle parked in the club’s parking lot, vehicle thefts and felony thefts from inside the club, and other assaults.

The City Attorney’s Office said the club has failed to comply with previous court orders from July 2021, July 2022 and March 2023.

A contempt hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27.

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