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

According to the Columbus City Attorney’s Office, the Property Action Team was successful in filing a motion of contempt to seek the closure of the Downtown nightclub, the Avalon Club. The city alleged that the club is subject to repeated violations of court orders, violence, criminal activity and not properly employing licensed security guards.

The City Attorney’s Office said that the club has been the subject of 78 calls to Columbus police regarding a shooting, shots fired, assaults, burglaries and theft, among other complaints.

The Environmental Court ordered the club to shut down for one year, effective Dec. 5, 2024, and Columbus Police executed said order to board up the club Thursday.

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 failed to comply with previous court orders from July 2021, July 2022 and March 2023.

The Property Action Team also noted that bar owners continually violated court orders, including failing to employ properly licensed security and hire special duty officers during operating hours. 

As part of its ruling, the Environmental Court also ordered Avalon’s liquor license to be placed in safekeeping with the state’s Division of Liquor Control for the duration of the club’s closure, a $5,000 contempt fine against owners, and required owners to meet with CPD and any assigned special duty officers prior to any future reopening of the club to discuss safety procedure.