Suspect in double murder at Downtown Columbus nightclub arrested

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A man suspected of killing two people at a Downtown nightclub this summer has been arrested.

NBC4 learned that the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team arrested 26-year-old Jaquez Hoover, who is wanted in the murder of Desmond Taylor, 27, and Ceilin Peaks Smith, 36. Taylor and Smith, along with two others, were shot at Aura, formerly known as the Avalon nightclub, on June 14.

When officers arrived at the scene of the shooting, four victims were found suffering from gunshot wounds. Taylor was pronounced dead at 1:58 a.m. Peakes Smith was transported to a local hospital then pronounced dead at 2:45 a.m.

Two additional adult victims were transported to local hospitals and were expected to recover from their injuries.

Authorities said the incident sprang from an altercation outside the club, leading to shots fired. Police noted there were a lot of patrons at the club when the shooting occurred, and detectives were relying on witnesses for leads.

Hoover was named a suspect one day after the shooting and remained at large for over two months. He was arrested in the 4000 block of Glengate Drive on the Far East Side neighborhood of Blacklick Estates.

The Aura club was the recent subject of a motion of contempt by the Columbus City Attorney’s Office after the Property Action Team seeks to close the business for good. 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.