On January 29, 2023, Charles T. Smith, a 37-year-old man from Columbus, Ohio, was fatally shot at The Doll House, a strip club located in the Northland neighborhood. The incident occurred shortly after 2:00 AM when a fight inside the club escalated into gunfire. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:28 AM, with reports indicating he suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
In addition to Smith, three other individuals were injured during the shooting; two were transported to the hospital while a third victim was treated for a graze wound on-site.
The Columbus police swiftly launched an investigation and identified Travis Ingram Jr., a 21-year-old from Canton, as the primary suspect in the shooting. Ingram was charged with aggravated murder and felonious assault related to the incident. He was arrested by U.S. Marshals on February 1, 2023, at a residence in Massillon, Ohio. During his arrest, authorities seized three firearms. Following his capture, Ingram was extradited back to Columbus and held on a $1.5 million bond.
Ingram's legal proceedings began shortly after his extradition, with his arraignment scheduled for March 6, 2023. The city of Columbus also took action against The Doll House by filing a lawsuit aiming to declare it a public nuisance due to repeated incidents of violence associated with the establishment. This lawsuit sought to temporarily close the club until its owners could demonstrate improvements in safety and security measures.
