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UPDATE
Only 1 gunman in nightclub shootout faces attempted murder, assault
Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer
This story has been updated with additional information.

A shootout between two men inside a crowded East End nightclub that left eight bystanders wounded has led to attempted murder and felonious assault charges against only one of the accused gunmen.

Because of how the shooting unfolded and taking into account Ohio’s self-defense laws ? Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said one of the men, 29-year-old Derrick Long, acted in self-defense when he returned fire after being shot several times at close range.

“We have to look at the facts,” Pillich said in an interview, “and decide if we did bring this to trial, could this result in a conviction.”

Both men were indicted March 6 on different levels of charges. A Hamilton County grand jury indicted Franeek Cobb, 24, of Bond Hill, on multiple counts including attempted murder, felonious assault, inducing panic and several gun charges.

Long, of Spring Grove Village, faces charges of illegal possession of a gun in a liquor establishment, tampering with evidence, carrying a concealed weapon and being a convicted felon in possession of a gun.

Attorneys for both men have said they acted in self-defense in the March 1 shooting, which happened at a private party at Riverfront Live attended by about 800 people.

Hundreds were in the area as gunfire erupted, Pillich said. Eight bystanders were wounded in the crossfire.

The shootout was captured on surveillance video. Cobb looked at Long, pulled out a gun and shot Long several times at close range, according to prosecutors and court documents. Long fell to the floor, then pulled out a gun and returned fire.

Pillich said the two men had a longstanding dispute.

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Cincinnati

So Mr. Long legally defended himself with a firearm it was illegal for him to possess. This makes sense to lawers.

The right of citizens to bear arms is just one more guarantee against arbitrary government, one more safeguard against tyranny, which though now appears remote in America, history has proven to be always possible.
— Senator Hubert H. Humphrey

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