On April 29, 2023, at approximately 2:45 a.m., 26-year-old Nicholas Cole was fatally shot while working as a security guard at Diamonds of Charlotte, a strip club located on Atando Avenue in Charlotte, North Carolina. The incident began when a group of men attempted to enter the club; one individual was denied entry due to presenting a fake ID. This refusal led to a physical altercation between the group and the club's security personnel. In an effort to assist his fellow security guard, Cole intervened in the confrontation. During the melee, one or more individuals from the group produced firearms and discharged multiple rounds, striking Cole. Emergency responders transported him to Atrium Health's Carolinas Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Following the shooting, law enforcement authorities identified 21-year-old Adonis Smith as a suspect in Cole's murder. Smith himself sustained a gunshot wound during the incident and was hospitalized in critical condition. On May 1, 2023, while Smith was still receiving medical treatment, detectives obtained warrants for his arrest, charging him with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Authorities indicated that Smith would be taken into custody upon his release from the hospital.
The owner of Diamonds of Charlotte, Corey Headen, has a history of legal issues related to his establishments. In 2019, Headen was arrested and charged with failure to supervise his club, Nikki's, after a fatal shooting occurred on the premises during the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) tournament. The recurrence of violent incidents at venues under Headen's ownership has raised concerns about the safety and management practices at these establishments.
