Federal Charges Filed Against Two Men Following Cincinnati Nightclub Shooting
In a recent development, two individuals have been federally charged following a shooting incident over the weekend that resulted in nine people being injured inside the Riverfront Live nightclub in Cincinnati, Ohio. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio confirmed these charges on Tuesday.
Franeek Cobb, aged 24, and Derrick Long, aged 29, are facing federal accusations for possessing firearms or ammunition illegally, due to previous felony convictions. Surveillance footage from the nightclub, as per the prosecutors, shows both Cobb and Long discharging weapons early on Sunday morning. Cobb reportedly initiated the gunfire upon seeing Long, who then retaliated after being shot at.
Ballistic evidence collected at the crime scene indicated that only two firearms were involved in the altercation, according to the authorities.
“Our top priority is protecting our communities and holding accountable those who threaten them,” U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II stated. “If you pull a trigger in an illegal act of violence or otherwise illegally possess a firearm or ammunition, rest assured we will do everything we can to send you to federal prison.”
Locally, Cobb faced arraignment on Tuesday in Hamilton County Municipal Court on charges of felonious assault. During the hearing, Assistant Prosecutor Connor Wood suggested that Cobb held a longstanding grudge against another individual present at the venue, which led to the immediate gunfire without any prior interaction.
Long, who faces similar local charges, was not present in court on Tuesday. Records allege that he knowingly possessed and used a firearm during the incident at Riverfront Live.
Efforts to reach Anna Mallory, Cobb’s attorney, were unsuccessful as messages went unanswered. Similarly, no attorney is listed for Long, and attempts to contact him also went unanswered.
The shooting occurred at approximately 1 a.m. on Sunday during a birthday celebration at the nightclub, located along the Ohio River. The event was hosted by Jermaine Tandy, also known as DJ Fresh, whose management expressed devastation over what they termed a “senseless act.”
Eyewitness Anton Canady recounted to The Associated Press that he heard sounds of a commotion before the gunfire erupted. In the ensuing chaos, he protected his girlfriend from being trampled, later discovering that his cousin was among those injured. He provided first aid until emergency responders arrived and later reported that she was recovering but in shock.
The Cincinnati Police Department’s homicide unit, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are conducting a joint investigation into the shooting. Despite the timing coinciding with another shooting incident in Austin, Texas, officials have stated that the Cincinnati event is not believed to be linked to terrorism.
Riverfront Live, situated close to the Riverbend Music Center, has a storied past as the former site of Annie’s, a notable rock venue. It was rebranded in 2018 after gaining notoriety for criminal activities.
