COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein's office is asking a judge to close a downtown nightclub.
Klein's office said they filed a motion of contempt after multiple violations of court orders and nearly 30 police visits to Aura, formerly known as Avalon. They are looking to shut down the club for one year.
The two parties were in court for more than five hours on Friday and did not come to a resolution.
The defense argued that the nightclub should not be shut down. The club's defense attorney went through a number of police reports and claimed the incidents did not happen at the club but in the surrounding area.
The hearing will resume on Monday.
Since Jan. 1, 2023, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein’s office says the Columbus Division of Police has received approximately 28 calls for service at the property, including multiple fights and two shootings.
In June, two security guards were shot and killed while working outside of the nightclub. Police said at the time of the shooting that they believed it may have stemmed from an altercation inside the nightclub.
Other recent instances of violence include patrons being assaulted by a bouncer employed by the nightclub, shots being fired in the area with casings found in the parking lot and two assaults in June.
The city also alleges multiple violations of court orders, including failure to employ property licensed security.
Klein's office said if the nightclub gets shut down, it will bring some relief to the people and families who live nearby.
Jewel Simpson who said her children's father was killed the night of the June shooting, believed the club needs to close.
"It's kind of sad that us, we don't know how, disrespectful that is to lives that are gone and I can honestly just, I can appreciate the fact that somebody sees that it should no longer be an operation," Simpson said.
Klein's office said they are also trying to remove the club's liquor license. This will be discussed at a Columbus City Council meeting in early December.